Lord Mayor of Norwich councillor Jenny Lay with supporters of the British Heart Foundation at the lighting up of Norwich Castle in red. Photo: Steve Adams

Norwich Castle was illuminated in red this evening to launch National Heart month for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

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The castle joined a list of iconic landmarks turning red across the UK – from the Eden Project in Cornwall to Nottingham Castle to the Squinty Bridge in Glasgow.

As part of the switch-on, Norwich families are being challenged to join in the charity’s Red for Heart February fundraising campaign.

Staff in Norfolk’s East of England Co-op stores will dress up in red on February 24, while Norwich City College students are holding an Ant and Dec style Red or Black game show.

Heart disease is Britain’s biggest killer with women three times more likely to die of it than breast cancer.

In Norwich the heart foundation, which has opened a new shop on Castle Meadow, runs two Heartstart groups which teach people what to do if someone has a heart attack.

Alex Mayer, fundraising manager for the BHF in Norfolk, said: “Norwich Castle is an iconic landmark and it is wonderful to see it lit up in red.”

Two sides of the castle will glow red at night for the next seven days.

Lord Mayor Jenny Lay who launched the campaign at the castle said: “Having a heart attack causes suffering to the person but it also causes untold misery and worry to whole families.

“Losing someone through a heart attack, can be sudden and means so much heart ache as it’s too quick a goodbye and leaves so many words unsaid.

“In this month of St Valentine’s Day and for all the events for National Heart month, I wish all who work in any way, professionals or voluntary, for the British Heart Foundation, a successful month in raising funds and awareness.”

• To find out more and to order your free Red for Heart Fundraising Kit visit www.bhf.org.uk/red or call 01223 862695.