BT is encouraging employees to change their lifestyle to avoid developing diabetes.

The telecommunications company launched a scheme called Work Fit - Diabetes, which will involve information road shows for staff about the illness, online information and interactive risk assessment.

The company estimates that, of its workforce of 112,000, 8,000 have type 2 diabetes although it believes as many as 2,000 will be unaware they have the condition.

Catherine Kilfedder, group health adviser at BT, said: "We hope the campaign will play a significant role in the prevention and early detection of type 2 diabetes, so we need to help our people take responsibility for their health at home and at work. Around 80% of type 2 diabetes is linked to an unhealthy lifestyle and a lifestyle change can reduce the risk or delay onset of the condition."

In the UK 2.5 million people suffer from diabetes and 500,000 have type 2 diabetes but are unaware of it.