TWENTY per cent of Cotswolds residents have so far responded to a free offer to check if their homes are at risk from radon gas poisoning.

Last month Public Health England wrote to 8,000 households in the district which they believe to be in radon hotspots.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps through the ground and can accumulate inside houses and buildings. It is known to be a cause of lung cancer and has been linked to around 1,000 deaths each year. The risk is great among people who smoke.

Some areas are more at risk than others as it depends on the underlying ground rock and the levels of uranium which releases the gas as it breaks down.

The areas with the biggest concentrations of gas have been identified as north of Chipping Campden, east of Shipston and around Chipping Norton though Public Health England says even a small risk should be monitored.

Neil McColl, head of radon at Public Health England, said: “It’s great that so many people in the Cotswolds and Cheltenham have already taken advantage of our free test offer, though it would be great to hear from lots more."

He is asking those who have yet to respond to fill in the letter that was sent to them and send it back. In return they will receive two biscuit-sized discs that they place in the house for three months and then post back. The data on the discs will be analysed and the results returned to the householder free of charge.

If a home is found to be above the accepted levels then remedial work to reduce the contamination will be recommended. This may involve fitting a radon sump fitted with a fan and estimated to cost between £1,000 and £2,000.

The PHE also states anyone can find out if a property is in a radon affected area by searching on www.ukradon.org.