Teenagers in the Western Isles are to be the first in the UK to be routinely screened for heart disease.

A health charity has secured ethical approval from the Western Isles Council and the health board to conduct the ECG tests on almost 600 youths, aged 15 to 18.

The initiative is being led by Cardiac Risk in the Young in memory of Joanna Fotheringham, a 24-year-old Lewis school teacher who died suddenly in her sleep.

The charity claims that at least four young people under the age of 35 die suddenly from cardiac abnormalities each week.

Tests in 2002

It wants British health authorities to back a nation-wide cardiac screening scheme.

The charity points out that routine testing on teenagers in countries such as Italy and America shows that such deaths can be prevented.

The health charity has praised the Western Isles Health Board and Council for approving UK's first screening programme for youngsters.

An administrator has already been appointed to run the island scheme and local nurses will receive specialist training in London before the ECG testing starts early next year.