Hundreds of campaigners marked the first ever United Nations-observed World Diabetes Day by forming a giant blue circle.

Bermuda is thought to be the only country in the world to acknowledge the new symbol representing the global fight against diabetes in such a way.

World Diabetes Day took place on Wednesday, the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, is credited for the discovery of insulin.

This year's theme was Diabetes in Children and Adolescents, because the illness is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, striking children at any age, including preschool children and toddlers.

Sarah Burrows, programme manager for Bermuda Diabetes Association, said: "Diabetes is a global disease, with a far-reaching and devastating impact on people's lives.

"The new symbol is in United Nations blue, and represents the global fight against diabetes. We hope that people will wear blue circle pins as a way to raise awareness for the disease, which affects 8,000 Bermudians."

For more information on diabetes, contact BDA by e-mail at bda[AT]northrock.bm, or by phone on 297-8427.