Youth team coach Michael Johnson stopped off at Victoria Centre on Friday afternoon to throw his support behind the 'Love Your Lungs' campaign.

The scheme, launched by the British Lung Foundation and NHS Nottinghamshire County, has been set up to raise awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the dangers of common symptoms, such as persistent coughing and breathlessness.

Pioneering research commissioned by the charity has highlighted the areas within the county where residents are most at risk of being admitted to hospital with COPD.

The 'Love Your Lungs' campaign in Nottinghamshire will target these areas by holding five events in the community offering free lung function tests to members of the public, allowing them to receive the advice and information they need.

Johnson has been ambassador for the charity in the past and is very passionate about working towards a future of brilliant lung health awareness.

He said: "It's great to be working with the British Lung Foundation and NHS Nottinghamshire County in combating such a terrible disease, which claims 30,000 lives each year in the UK.

"It is vital that people understand the importance of checking symptoms with their GP and pursuing the right course of treatment."

Lung function tests are quick and painless and simply involve blowing into a tube.

Although there is no cure for COPD, identifying the disease and pursuing the right treatment can dramatically improve quality of life for those living with the disease and lung function tests are the best guide as to whether there may be early signs of the condition.

The free lung function testing events during March will be held between 9am and 3pm on:

Friday, March 5 - Sainsbury's Arnold, Sir John Robinson Way, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 6BN

Wednesday, March 10 (No smoking Day) - Asda, Old Mill Lane, Mansfield NG19 0HA

Thursday, March 11 - Morrisons, Gamston, Lingsbar Road, Notts NG2 6PS

Thursday, March 18 - Sainsbury's Beeston, Stoney Street, Beeston, NG9 2LA

Friday, March 26 - The Butter Market, Middle Gate, Newark, NG24 1AG