Reading a good book can lower your blood pressure – but if you need to check, Brightlingsea Library now has five blood pressure monitors you can borrow.

The loan scheme in the county’s 74 libraries was launched on September 9 to coincide with national ‘Know Your Numbers’ Week, the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.

Each loan pack includes a monitor, cuff, diary, and guidance leaflet. Monitors can be borrowed for up to two weeks. No booking is required, monitors are available on a first come first served basis to anyone aged 18 or over. No GP referral is needed.

As well as take-home monitors, larger libraries including Clacton and Colchester (from November when the library reopens)  are hosting freestanding monitors for walk-in use.