People are being urged to find out their risk of diabetes after the number of people diagnosed with the condition in Dorset increased by more than 1,000.

Health charity Diabetes UK says 42,673 in the county are now diagnosed with the condition, compared to 41,492 last year.

Across the UK, one in ten people over the age of 40 is now living with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and of the 3.8 million people living with a diabetes diagnosis, 90 per cent have type 2. There are also almost one million more people living with type 2 diabetes who don't know they have it, the charity said.

By 2030, 5.5 million people across the country are predicted to be affected by diabetes.

Diabetes UK says a dramatic increase in obesity rates is the main driver behind so many more people living with type 2 diabetes. Three in five adults in England are overweight or obese, and while not every case of type 2 diabetes is caused by excessive weight, it is the single biggest risk factor for developing the condition.

Phaedra Perry, Diabetes UK South West regional head, said: "Thousands of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented if we help people understand their risk and how to reduce it. It’s true that the older people get the more likely they are to have type 2 diabetes, but it is never too early to know your risk so that you can make changes to prevent or delay it.

"The signs of type 2 diabetes are often not obvious. That’s why spotting them early can be life-changing. Early diagnosis means that fewer people will experience diabetes-related complications such as sight loss, amputation, kidney failure, stroke and heart disease, because they can seek support earlier to manage their condition effectively.

"We urge people over 40 to get an NHS Health Check and we advise everyone to find out their risk of developing type 2 diabetes with the Know your Risk tool."

Symptoms involve going to the toilet a lot, being really thirsty, feeling more tired than usual and losing weight without trying. The condition can go undetected for many years, and by the time they’re diagnosed one in three people already have complications with their eyes, feet, kidneys or nerves, Diabetes UK says.

To find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, go to diabetes.org.uk/riskscore, or to find out more about NHS health checks visit nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/