World Cup winners have high cholesterol

Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst in action

Eight of the 10 of the remaining members of the England 1966 World Cup winning football team have elevated levels of cholesterol.

The players, now all in their 50s and 60s, are helping to launch a new cholesterol awareness campaign.

Sir Bobby Charlton has elevated cholesterol levels...

Since the tests the players - Alan Ball, Gordon Banks, Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, George Cohen, Roger Hunt, Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles and Ray Wilson - have taken steps to cut their cholesterol levels.

But the fact that highly successful former athletes can develop problems with cholesterol in later life illustrates just what a widespread problem it is.

It is estimated that seven out of ten adults have too much cholesterol.

Heart risk

Cholesterol is a fatty-like substance made by the liver from saturated fat in the diet.

The body needs some cholesterol but high amounts in the blood raise the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) because it clogs up the arteries.

...as does former goalie Gordon Banks

Heart or circulatory disease is the UK's biggest killer, causing 260,000 deaths a year.

British Heart Foundation figures show that more than 66% of adults have a level at or above the recommended 5.0mm/mol target.

Lowering blood cholesterol by 1% can reduce the risk of developing CHD by about 2-3%.

GPs can measure cholesterol levels through a simple blood test and can advise whether levels are acceptable.

It is possible to reduce cholesterol by grilling foods instead of frying and by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

The new campaign is being launched by the makers of Flora pro.activ, a cholesterol-lowering spread.

A spokesman said: "Adults in the UK generally have no idea what their cholesterol level is, so we hope that the team will help us communicate some important messages."