A VALENTINE'S Day campaign to persuade Teessiders to love their hearts a little more is launched today.

Posters and radio adverts urging smokers, drinkers, chip-lovers and couch potatoes to turn over a new leaf will send out a message across Teesside.

The campaign, which features eye-catching images of heart-shaped sofas, beer glasses, pizzas and ashtrays highlights the average of 23 people a week on Teesside who die because of coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply the heart with blood, leading to angina, coronary thrombosis, heart attack, heart failure and sudden death.

The posters pose the question: "Do you love your food, your drink, your ciggies and your couch? Then what about loving your heart more?"

It urges people to take simple steps to avoid becoming victims of coronary heart diseases, such as taking regular exercise, cutting down on fatty foods, drinking less alcohol and giving up smoking.

Jim Willson, Health Action Zone manager for Tees Health Authority said: "The point of the campaign is not to preach to people about what they should and should not be doing. The aim is to inform Teessiders of the dangers of this killer disease and at the same time, suggest simple steps we can take to lesson their chances of developing heart disease."

Tips for a healthier heart include: walk to the shops or to school instead of using the car; eat some fruit and vegetables every day; cut down on alcohol; give up smoking.

l Information is available by visiting www.teessidehaz.co