Smokers or former smokers in Dudley are being granted access to a new health service detecting the early stages of lung cancer.

The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme (TLHC) is now open to Dudley residents aged 55 to 75 who smoke or have smoked in the past and are registered with a Dudley GP.

This follows successful launches in Birmingham, Solihull, and Sandwell.

The new service started this month in Kingswinford GP practices, with the hope of expanding to more practices around the borough in the coming weeks.

Those eligible for the service will receive a letter from their GP about the check-up, which is conducted to assess their risk of lung cancer.

The initiative has come at a timely moment, as Dudley has recently seen a high proportion of later-stage lung cancer diagnoses.

Dr Mazhar Chaudri, the clinical director for TLHC, said: "Early detection saves lives.

"By identifying lung cancer at an early stage, we can significantly improve survival rates and provide timely treatment.

"The introduction of the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in Dudley is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to reduce cancer mortality rates.

"I encourage all eligible individuals to participate in this vital programme."

An awareness campaign featuring adverts on buses, social media, and Black Country Radio has also been launched in a bid to raise awareness.

A mobile screening van has also been placed at various locations around Dudley to make the check-ups more accessible for residents.

Information about the new lung health check service can be accessed on the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust website (www.dgft.nhs.uk/targeted-lung-health-checks/).