Graeme Souness has backed Tesco‘s latest health campaign and is urging more than 200,000 football fans to take advantage of free tests at the supermarket chain’s pharmacies during the summer.

With the Euros set to kick off on Friday, Tesco is calling on football fans to have their blood pressure tested as it made thousands of free checks available between June 14 and July 14.

The former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder cited his own experience with heart disease as he reiterated the importance of getting regularly checked over for potential signs of illness.

He said: “I know from personal experience just how important it is to keep an eye on your blood pressure.

“High blood pressure can affect anyone at any time in their life, so taking a few moments to have it checked while doing the weekly shop in Tesco could be potentially life-saving.”

Mr Souness was diagnosed with coronary heart disease when he was in his early 30s and has been a British Heart Foundation ambassador for decades.

Tesco’s Category Director for Health and Wellness, Tom Lye, said: “With all the drama of penalties and VAR, this summer’s football will inevitably set pulses racing right across the UK – so there’s no better time to check on your heart health.

“While the football is on, we’ve got tens of thousands of free blood pressure checks available every week, making it easy for fans to keep one eye on their health and another on the football.”

Footie fans will not need to book an appointment and will just to have to their local Tesco pharmacy to get their blood pressure tested.