Gym-goers and swimmers in Swindon are being encouraged to look out for potential signs of cancer.

NHS messages have been placed on mirrors in the changing rooms of leisure centres across the town.

The stickers, which say "Check you out" and "Know what's normal for you," remind people to contact their GP if something in their body doesn't feel right.

It is the latest push by the NHS to find cancers at an earlier stage,

The scheme is in partnership with GLL, the not-for-profit social enterprise that runs centres on behalf of Swindon Council, under the Better brand.

Better is the first leisure provider in the UK to focus on cancer awareness, joining other partners, such as supermarkets and washroom hygiene specialists, in highlighting cancer messages to the public in everyday situations.

The initiative comes after a survey by Better found only 54 per cent of respondents from the region check their bodies for physical changes at least once a month, and 14 per cent do not check at all.

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: "Finding cancer early is key to successful treatment and survival, but this means that we need people who experience symptoms to come forward as soon as they spot them.

"This is why it’s vital that people are aware of their bodies, take notice of a change that isn’t normal for them and get it checked out immediately.

"This partnership with Better means that we’re able to reach more people to remind them to check themselves at a time and a place where they are able to do so.

"It’s a simple thing that anyone can do, but it really can save your life."

The survey by Better also found 22 per cent of respondents from Swindon said they are not aware of any potential cancer signs.

However, 59 per cent said they would recognise a lump or swelling in a part of their body as a possible early sign of cancer and would seek medical advice.

Barnaby Rich, GLL partnership manager for Swindon, said: "Our aim is to improve health and wellbeing in our local community, and we’re delighted to be partnering NHS England in this vital campaign.

"The survey we conducted clearly indicates a need to raise awareness of potential signs of cancer and the mirror stickers will hopefully act as a timely reminder to our customers to check themselves regularly."