EATING an apple is good for your health - looking like one is definitely not.

Too many people are said to be apple-shaped round the waistline, putting them more at risk of having a heart attack or type 2 diabetes.

Dr Frances Howie said people knew being overweight was bad for their health but few realised extra weight around the waist carried risks, too.

People might not be overweight on the scales but might need to lose weight around the middle, said Dr Howie, associate director of health improvement with Herefordshire PCT.

To find out call in at a chemist across Herefordshire as they have linked with the trust in a "tape measure challenge".

They have equipped themselves with new leaflets, posters, body mass index calculators and tape measures and are ready and willing to offer advice.

The tape measures are marked with red, orange or green to help people find out if they need to get rid of their apple shape.

For a woman, a waist size of 32 to 35 inches carries the same risk as being overweight and over 35 inches, the same risk as being obese.

For men, a waistline of 37-40 inches carries the same risk as overweight and over 40 inches, that of obese.

Get checked out, said Dr Howie. "The spring is a really good time to eat more healthily and to be more active - people can change their shape if they do these things and will reduce their chances of getting serious diseases such as heart disease and diabetes," she advised.

Pharmacists in Herefordshire are offering the tape measure challenge until April 23.