FIRST the facts.

Stroke is the third highest cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the UK. Almost one in four men and one in five women aged over 45 will have a stroke if they live to 85 and beyond.

Almost 150,000 people in the UK suffer strokes each year, of which 10,000 people aged under 55 and 1,000 people under 30. Children can have a stroke.

Asian, African or Afro-Carribbean people are most at risk of suffering from a stroke.

But what is a stroke? Dubbed a brain attack', it happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. There are two types, the first is a bleed where a blood vessel bursts causing bleeding into the brain.

The second type is a blockage in an artery after a clot stops or halts the blood supply to the brain.

A collection of gloomy statistics you may think but the borough has an established, innovative service ready to treat stroke sufferers provided by a dedicated team at Russells Hall Hospital.

The site now boasts a treatment called Thrombolysis. Introduced last month, the treatment breaks up abnormal blood clots which restrict blood flow and can play a crucial part in patients' recovery.

Around 555 stroke patients were seen at the site during the 2006/07 year.

Dr Ashim Banjeree, Consultant at the Trust, guides us through the process: "A specialist stroke team including a stroke registrar and consultant, is now in place at the Trust, which enables us to immediately assess stroke patients upon arrival.

"Our service includes immediate CT scanning of patients, and if appropriate the first dose of the alteplase bolus (a clot dissolving agent) for Thrombolysis will be given in the scanning room once haemorrhagic stroke is excluded.

"The following infusion is carried out in the Acute Stroke Unit at Russells Hall Hospital within the hour, where the patient will undergo physiological monitoring with specialist medical and nursing care for the next 24 hours.

"Being able to offer patients a first-class Thrombolysis service is a vital element to the continued improvement of stroke services."

Signs of a stroke include facial, arm or leg weakness, and speech problems.

People can also suffer from a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), dubbed a mini stroke'. Here, symptoms may only last for a few minutes and will have completely gone within 24 hours.

What's the medical advice to reduce the risk of suffering a stroke?

By quitting the habit smokers can slash their chances as smoking doubles the risk of a stroke. Drinking too much booze raises a person's blood pressure which in turn raises their chances of a stroke.

Eating healthily and exercising for half-an-hour five times a week will also help. Regular blood pressure and cholesterol tests will also help.

For more information for younger stroke survivors go to www.differentstrokes.co.uk.