A STROKE awareness campaign was launched today after researchers found more than a third of people can't recognise any of the condition's symptoms.

Charity Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland said they found 34% of Scots were unable to say what happened when someone was hit by the potentially deadly brain attack.

The survey also showed the lack of understanding is worst in those most likely to be affected - 41% of people aged 65 and over did not know any of the symptoms.

Strokes - when blood supply to the brain stops - are the main cause of disability in the community with around 90,000 Scots currently affected.

CHS has launched a radio and poster campaign featuring a test that can help identify a stroke victim.

The FAST, or Face Arms and Speech Test, requires an assessment of facial weakness such as a drooping eye or mouth, arm weakness and speech problems.

If a person has any of these symptoms dial 999, CHS said.

The charity said the test is used by paramedics to diagnose stroke prior to being admitted to hospital and has been introduced in countries such as Australia with great success.

CHS chief executive David Clark said: "Severe lack of understanding is a major obstacle in an emergency situation."