Around 100 people are forced to have a limb amputated due to diabetes, it has been revealed.

According to Diabetes UK, greater awareness of the condition and its impact is urgently needed.

Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of the charity, said that most amputations could be prevented by improving awareness and management of diabetes.

He told the Press Association: "People with diabetes need to have optimum support, guidance and clinical care to help minimise the risks of amputation."

Figures suggest around 5,000 people undergo amputations every year and diabetics are 15 times more likely to have a lower limb removed than those without the disease.

According to NHS Direct, approximately 2.3 millionaire affected by diabetes in the UK. Around two per cent of pregnant women are also affected by gestational diabetes whereby the body cannot produce enough insulin to absorb the high levels of glucose in the blood.