By Michelle Roberts BBC News health reporter

About 7% of Slough's population has diabetes

A pilot project, launched in Slough by Action Diabetes, could be rolled out nationally if the results are as good as early findings suggest.

It is estimated that about one in four people with diabetes has not been diagnosed.

These hidden people risk complications and premature death because their condition is not being managed.

Years of damage

Professor Mike Pringle, a member of the Royal College of GPs who will analyse the pilot findings, said: "We believe for every three or four people with diabetes we know about there is one who has not yet been diagnosed."

If it continues to be successful, then obviously it will be rolled out nationally. Professor Mike Pringle from the Royal College of GPs

Overall, about 1.4 million people around the UK are currently diagnosed with diabetes, but it is estimated that another million people do not know they have it.

"The average person will have had diabetes for about seven to 10 years, so those are seven to 10 years in which their eyes, kidneys, hearts and limbs are at risk," said Professor Pringle.

The government-funded pilot is targeting Slough citizens most likely to have diabetes, generally people from the Asian community.

In Slough, the number of people with diabetes has been found to be almost double the national average.

A special diabetes bus is visiting the most popular meeting places of this community, offering diabetes education materials and on the spot blood sugar tests.

The team offers on the spot tests

Specialist nurse Grace, who is part of the team travelling around Slough, said: "We have gone to places like the mosques, the libraries, post offices, estates, schools and local employers.

"We work with trained lay people who are peers from the community and who are multilingual."

She said the scheme had generated a great deal of interest.

"We have tested 486 people in six days. It's been very successful so far."

She said anyone found to have abnormally high blood sugar was advised to visit their GP.

The team has also been using posters, DVDs, magazines and leaflets in public areas to get their health message across.

The pilot will run for three weeks. Researchers will then assess whether the project has increased the detection of new cases of diabetes.

SOME SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES Unusual thirst Increased production of urine Tiredness Loss of weight Feeling sick Blurred vision Infections, such as thrush The Diabetes Guide

Professor Pringle said: "In the first week, seven new cases have been identified already. If it continues to be successful, then obviously it will be rolled out nationally."

Independent health analyst Dr Foster helped Action Diabetes and Slough Primary Care Trust figure out how best to reach those communities at highest risk of diabetes.

Six other PCTs around England will also take part in pilots - Nottingham City, Haringey, Swale, Blackburn & Darwin, Hull and North Lincolnshire.

Dr Foster is currently investigating whether similar pilots could be used to tackle coronary heart disease, winter hospital admissions, emergency mental health admissions and teenage pregnancy.