HOMES in the Forest will be among some 18,000 that could have a free test for radio­active radon gas.

Around 18,000 households across Gloucestershire will be offered the tests, to discover their home levels of the naturally occurring radon gas – which, while it is invisible, odourless and cannot be tasted, causes around 1,000 deaths each year from lung cancer.

Organised by Public Health England (PHE), its head of dosimetry services at the Centre For Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards, Neil McColl said: "It has long been known that the Cotswolds and parts of Gloucestershire are radon hotspots.

"It is important people do act because long term exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer.

"That's why we're writing to almost 18,000 households across Gloucestershire to offer the free test. Testing is easy, and it's the only way to tell if you need to act to minimise the risk to you and your family."

The offer is to be made available to people who live in the areas where radon risk is said to be highest.

The test involves placing two small plastic detectors in key positions around the home. After three months these are returned to PHE by post, where they will be analysed and the radon level calculated.

More details are available from http://www.gov.uk/phe">www.gov.uk/phe