Not enough is being done to raise awareness of diabetes and the serious health complications it causes, a leading charity has warned.

According to a report by Diabetes UK, more than half (53 per cent) of primary care trusts nationwide do not have such a strategy in place.

The report, called Access to Health Services, said Bristol, Gloucestershire and North Somerset PCTs had no general awareness programme and no early identification programme for Type 2 diabetes – by far the most common type which usually occurs in adults.

South Gloucestershire and Somerset PCTs reported no general awareness programme for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes; and Bath and North East Somerset has no early identification programme for Type 2.

Jan Tyrrell, regional manager of Diabetes UK South West, said: "Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today.

"In the National Service Framework for Diabetes, the Government set diabetes care standards and highlighted the importance of both early identification and prevention.

"PCTs have an important role to play in raising awareness of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and informing people of how simple lifestyles changes, such as eating a healthy diet and being physically active, can help reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and can help the ongoing management of those already living with diabetes.

"Early identification is also crucial as people with Type 2 diabetes can remain undiagnosed for up to 10 years, which puts them at increased risk of developing the devastating complications of diabetes such as stroke, heart disease, blindness and amputation."

There are 201,489 people with diabetes in the South West and an estimated 60,000 who have the condition but are not aware of it.

Arguing Bristol PCT does have an effective system in place, Jonathan Holdsworth, lead GP for diabetes there, said: "Raising awareness of diabetes and screening and education is important to NHS Bristol.

"We have a well-developed informal programme of identification and screening for diabetes in all areas of the city.

"The Health Protection Agency has recently completed a large trial among inner city practices screening those at risk due to weight, age and ethnicity.

"We are just starting an ambitious vascular screening programme to include diabetes and are looking at ways to direct this to areas of the city most at risk."

Gloucestershire PCT spokesman Anthony Dallimore said: "Given the increase in the numbers of those that present with the disease, NHS Gloucestershire's main focus to date has been on the treatment of people who have been diagnosed with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

"Significant investment has been made in a range of services, including retinal screening, patient education, psychological support and the continuing development of specialist nursing support.

"A recent national Healthcare Commission review found that diabetes services across the county were continuing to expand and develop and that more of these services were being provided locally for the benefit of service users."

Paul Courtney, a spokesman for NHS Somerset, said the trust is committed to improving the health and well being of local people, including those who may not yet realise that obesity, lack of a balanced diet and of exercise, can increase their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

He added: "A range of health checks are routinely delivered to the young and old, either by visiting their GP or whilst at school through the school nursing service."

Corrine Edwards, assistant director of Service Improvement for NHS Bath and North East Somerset, said: "Awareness of diabetes is raised through public health, training courses and promotion campaigns in local pharmacies and general practice.

"Early intervention programmes have been developed and will be implemented in the autumn."