PHARMACISTS in Colchester are joining the fight against bowel cancer by urging people to visit them for medical advice.

Whereas most head to their GPs if suffering with an ailment, people actually visit a pharmacist twice as much.

The Beating Bowel Cancer charity is urging people to make the most of the medical knowledge of pharmacists if they experience symptoms of the disease.

These include a persistent change in bowel habit, bleeding from the bottom and severe abdominal pain.

Pharmacists and pharmacy staff will be provided with information to help them to discuss the symptoms of bowel cancer and advise people to go to their GP if they are concerned.