More than 50 men in Hammersmith and Fulham received a health boost last night as Chelsea Football Club offered free medical MOTs for local residents.

As part of the club's work with the New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative launched last month by winger Florent Malouda, participants on the NDC United Football Programme were visited by health professionals to establish their body mass index, fitness levels, lung capacity and heart rate.

Expert advice on healthy eating, quitting smoking and other health-related topics was also provided alongside training and education initiatives and information on routes into employment.

Men in the borough have traditionally suffered health inequalities due to a reluctance to visit doctors and other health professionals. Combined with the fact that the area has high incidences of heart disease, smoking-related illnesses, depression and obesity, the borough faces a number of serious health issues, which the scheme hopes to tackle.

'We will be providing men with health advice outside of the traditional settings of surgeries or hospitals which we hope will reduce many of the stigmas and fears associated with a visit to the doctor,' said Simon Taylor, head of Chelsea's Corporate Social Responsibility.

'Chelsea is helping to tackle many of the problems that communities face not only by offering exercise and healthy lifestyle information but also providing education and employment advice which all contribute towards helping individuals feel better.'

Health Secretary Andy Burnham welcomed the project: 'I've always believed that football clubs have a vital role to play in their communities and it's fantastic to see that Chelsea are encouraging men to take their health seriously.

'Men have a natural reluctance to visit doctors and for Chelsea to take the lead on this issue and encourage men to take better care of themselves shows their commitment to using their name and popularity and power of football to benefit their communities.'

The project is a collaboration between Chelsea, the Football Foundation, North Fulham New Deal for Communities (NDC), the local NHS and Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

Courses will also be available for participants to gain qualifications in football coaching and health provision - offering routes into employment and ensuring the long term sustainability of the programme.