SCHOOLCHILDREN were invited to form a 'living blue circle' at the old Radcliffe Infirmary today to highlight World Diabetes Day.

The youngsters from St Andrew's CE school gathered with Oxford University staff around the fountain at the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter in Oxford to make the universal symbol for diabetes.

The event this year had the theme ‘The Family and Diabetes’ aiming to raise awareness of the impact that diabetes has on families and to promote the role of the family in diabetes management, care and prevention.

Diabetes is now a major health risk across amid a rise of obesity and inactivity.

As of March this year there were around 29,500 people diagnosed with the condition in Oxfordshire, up from 27,900 the year before.