Staff from the Mid Wales drinks company Radnor Hills have joined a life-saving initiative to raise awareness of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.

A group of 24 male employees took part in a free PSA testing event held at Brecon Rugby Club — one of eight strategic locations across Wales where the charity Prostate Cymru is offering more than 3,000 men access to the potentially life-saving blood test.

Despite prostate cancer often developing without symptoms, more than 2,500 men are diagnosed every year in Wales. Almost one in five cases are detected too late to be cured.

Prostate Cymru, the leading prostate health charity in Wales, has warned that many men are still struggling to access PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests through their GP. The test, which measures the level of PSA in the blood, can help detect prostate problems - including cancer - at an early and more treatable stage.

Radnor Hills, based near Knighton, has supported Prostate Cymru for eight years.

Chris Butler, Marketing Manager of Radnor Hills, said: “Radnor Hills are proud sponsors of Prostate Cymru, the leading prostate health charity in Wales.

“As a rural based business ourselves, we’re aware that our locality has lower rates of PSA testing and this can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

“We have worked with the charity for a number of years providing them with free water at their events to keep them hydrated, offering raffle prizes for their roadshows and completing big walks to raise funds for them.

“Ahead of the screening day at Brecon Rugby Club, we invited them to come into our factory in Knighton and talk to staff from all our departments, from operations, sales and accounts to our teams on the factory floor. We were delighted that so many men then followed it up and had their PSA tested.”

Owen Pugsley, Head of Commercial Operations for Prostate Cymru, said: “Our partnership with Radnor is one which has developed massively over the last eight years.

“The awareness we have been able to raise throughout Radnor as a business, and through the surrounding areas, has been amazing.

“As a charity, partnerships are so important but this project has been a great way for us to give back to Radnor staff who have worked so hard raising money for us over the years. I am excited to see what the future brings for both the charity and our partnership as a whole.”