More than 15,000 people in Bradford are being treated for diabetes - but there are probably as many again who are unaware they have a potentially life-threatening illness, a diabetes specialist has warned.

Dr Brian Karet, diabetes lead for North Bradford Primary Care Trust, is using Diabetes Awareness Week to raise the profile of the condition and encourage people living in the district to make the most of services.

Of the 15,000 who are known to have diabetes - where the body is unable to control the amount of glucose in the blood - about 8,000 are treated by their own GP, others use the 20 specialist clinics across the district, while more complex cases are treated at local hospitals.

Dr Karet, a GP specialising in diabetes in Wrose, said: "Nationally there are about 1.3 million people with diabetes but this is expected to rise to three million by 2010.

"The biggest problem is obesity. We are seeing a rise in type two diabetes, particularly in the Asian population and people in their early 20s.

"There are even teenagers developing type two diabetes."

Type two diabetes is the most common form and the one linked to a poor diet and lack of exercise, affecting about 85 per cent of diabetics.

Complications include raised blood pressure, heart disease and high cholesterol as well

as strokes, blindness and kidney problems.

"By the time most people are diagnosed with diabetes, about half will have a complication of some kind," said Dr Karet.

"If not properly controlled these complications are potentially fatal. The good news is that if diabetes is picked up early the risk of complications is rapidly reduced."

Dr Karet wants people at risk, such as those with a family history of diabetes, overweight people and those from the South Asian population to be aware of the symptoms and act if they think they might have diabetes.

Symptoms include feeling tired, skin problems, such as boils, passing urine more often, feeling thirsty and poor concentration.

Within ten years of being diagnosed with type two diabetes around half need insulin but to begin with the condition can be dramatically improved by better diet and exercise.

Dr Karet said it was important to have regular check-ups after being diagnosed. He said: "Wherever you are treated the most important thing is to ensure that all the relevant tests are done regularly and that you understand the results."