The boroughs with the worst take-up rates in north London for free 'MOT' health checks have been revealed.

Since April 2013, local authorities have been responsible for ensuring middle aged and elderly people sign up for NHS health checks.

People between 40 and 74, who have not already been diagnosed with heart disease, strokes, kidney disease or diabetes, will be invited to have for a check once every five years.

Around 20 per cent of the eligible population should have received a check during 2013/4 - although initial take-up rates may be lower.

NHS England data shows that Harrow and Barnet only had a take up rate of six per cent, with 16 per cent of Barnet patients and only 11 per cent of Harrow patients offered the checks.

In Haringey, where almost 59,000 people are eligible for the check, it was offered to 19.27 per cent, with a take up rate of 8.68 per cent.

In Enfield, 7.51 per cent of the 17,346 people offered appointments have signed up.

Data for 2014/5 shows that so far, Barnet and Harrow are still bottom of the list with 4.9 per cent and four per cent of patients respectively signing up. 

In Enfield, 5.7 per cent of people have signed up to the checks while Haringey saw a take up of 5.6 per cent.

A spokesman for NHS England (London) said: “We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a free NHS health check.

"All adults in England aged 40 to 74 without a pre-existing condition should receive a letter inviting them to see a GP for a mid-life MOT. The health check can spot early signs of disease and help prevent illnesses developing.”

NHS England received incorrectly submitted figures from Harrow and Barnet after publishing the data, which slightly affected results for the first quarter of 2014/5.