The NHS has launched a campaign to raise awareness of stroke symptoms.

The Act FAST campaign aims to educate the public on the early warning signs of a stroke and the importance of calling 999 immediately if any symptoms appear.

According to the NHS, someone in the UK suffers a stroke every five minutes, so recognising the signs is crucial.

The early signs of a stroke can be subtle and easy to miss.

These include struggling to smile, a slight drop on one side of the face, difficulty raising one arm, or slurred or unclear speech.

The NHS's message is clear: if you notice any of these symptoms, call 999 immediately, as it is always an emergency.

Dr Will Taylor, chief medical officer of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "A stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, so it’s crucial everyone is aware of the most common symptoms of a stroke and acts FAST by calling 999.

"The first sign of a stroke actually might not seem like much, but every minute is vital – getting quick access to specialist treatment can be lifesaving and can reduce long-term disability.

"Whether someone is unable to raise their arm, struggling to smile, or slurring when they speak – any sign is always an emergency and you need to call 999 immediately."

A recent survey highlighted some concerning facts about public knowledge of stroke symptoms.

Many people mistakenly believe that more than one symptom is needed to justify calling 999, when in reality, just one symptom can signal a medical emergency.

In fact, more than half of people (57 per cent) think two to three symptoms are necessary before calling for help, despite the fact that even a single sign is a cause for concern.

The NHS is working hard to change these misconceptions and encourage people to take stroke symptoms seriously.

The new Act FAST campaign aims to ensure everyone understands that any sign of a stroke is an emergency, even if it doesn’t seem severe.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/ActFAST.