Almost 200 young people in Sidmouth have been screened for potential heart problems over just two days.

Charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) conducted the tests, which aim to detect undiagnosed heart conditions that could cause sudden cardiac death among those aged 14 to 35.

The initiative was carried out by Marion and Robert Hayman, who established the Jonathan Hayman Memorial Fund in association with CRY.

The Haymans lost their son, Jonathan, aged 27, to an undiagnosed heart condition in 2013 and have since been raising awareness for cardiac risk among Sidmouth's youth.

The money for the fund has been raised by the local community through fundraising events.

Mrs Hayman said: "I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, in raising awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young and helped with fund-raising.

"Without the support of the local community, we would not be able to hold the screenings."

The heart testing spanned across November 21 and November 22.

On the first day, screenings took place at Sidmouth College where 88 students were tested.

The second day saw an additional 95 young individuals get screened at the Sidmouth Youth Centre.

The screening process used a non-invasive test called an ECG (electrocardiogram) which records the hearts electrical activity.

If further details were required, an echocardiogram was performed, creating an ultrasound scan of the heart.

The screenings were fully funded by the Jonathan Hayman Memorial Fund, marking their fifth round of screenings in Sidmouth, with Jonathan Hayman being a native of the town and alumni of Sidmouth College.

Chief Executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young, Dr Steven Cox, said the unfortunate reality of unanticipated cardiac deaths highlights its relevance to young individuals.

He said: "Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young (that is, aged 35 and under) people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

"In 80 per cent of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important (particularly for those involved in regular, physical activity)."

Dr Cox thanked families like the Haymans who help facilitate their costly nationwide screening programme.

He said: "As CRY receives no government funding, our UK-wide screening programme is only possible because of the incredible support CRY receives from families – such as Marion and Robert – throughout the UK, enabling us to provide this service free to the public.

"I would therefore like to personally thank Marion and her wider community for everything they continue to do in order to bring our screening team to Devon, in memory of Jonathan."