FORMER Liverpool FC captain Graeme Souness is spearheading a new drive - to help prevent heart attacks in Bournemouth.

As patron of the Bournemouth Heart Club, the one-time Scotland international now helps spread the news about heart health via the Keep Well scheme.

“As a footballer I know how important it is to achieve fitness and maintain it as part of life’s survival whatever a person’s background or present situation,” he said.

Mr Souness explained that Bournemouth Heart Club offers 'the prime environment for prevention for people who are identified at risk by their GPs of suffering a heart attack due to being overweight with a lack of physical activity, smoking and drinking.'

"By going through the club’s prevention and rehabilitation sessions the new members of Keep Well will learn how to manage their problems whilst receiving deep felt encouragement from others who have already gained and maintained their own success," he said.

Mr Souness, who lives in Poole, said he is convinced of the benefits of the Keep Well programme.

"Club members are able to demonstrate the benefits they have gained and how it extends life,” he said.

Founded 27 years ago by Adrian Rozkovec, the Bournemouth Heart Club has almost 1,500 members and provides cardio-aerobic exercise classes six days a week in two purpose built gyms.