Analysis of data from the NHS in England shows that, for the last few years, 50% of diabetes sufferers have not been hitting their blood pressure targets, risking the likes of heart disease, strokes and kidney failure.

Sufferers unable to hit their pressure target (normally 130/80, slightly lower than the number for those without diabetes) will usually be put on a diet or given medication.

But the figures above from the National Diabetes Audit have remained the same for at least two years now.

If these figures are true across the UK, then 1.4million people out of 2.9million diabetes sufferers are affected.

Diabetes UK chief executive Barbara Young called the data “extremely worrying”.

She added, “We are in danger of high blood pressure becoming the norm in people with the condition. This is one of the reasons they are experiencing record rates of stroke and kidney failure and are dying years younger than the rest of the population."