Anyone worried that they are developing signs of memory loss can visit drop-in sessions being held by Alzheimer’s Support in doctors’ surgeries across west Wiltshire.

The charity, which has offices in Trowbridge and Devizes, will have their memory awareness volunteers running the sessions to explain what the symptoms are and the help available.

The drop-ins, which launched last year, aim to combat the results of a survey which showed people in Wiltshire wait around 16 months before going to their doctor with memory worries.

Annie Clayton, who co-ordinates the scheme said: “We started this last year and are stepping up the sessions in 2014 with more volunteers being trained and more surgeries coming on board.

“People do worry about their memories and find it useful to know more about what to expect as you get older and what symptoms might be cause for alarm. A lot of people we speak to go away feeling reassured, either because their symptoms are normal, or because if they do decide to see their GP, they know they will be taken seriously.”

Bradford on Avon Health Centre is holding the sessions between 10am and noon on January 14 and 20 and on February 10.

Bradford Road Surgery, in Trowbridge, hosts the drop-ins from 4.15-6.15pm every first Friday of the month.

From January 16, Giffords Surgery in Melksham is running the workshops fortnightly on Thursdays between 9am and 11am.

Spa Road Surgery, also in Melksham, will run sessions fortnightly on Tuesdays, from January 21, from 10am to noon.

For more information, call 01225 776481 or visit www.alzheimers wiltshire.org.uk