THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling on residents in the South West to take part in a World Record attempt and help fund life-saving research, by visiting their local BHF shop.

Heart shaped messages have been filling BHF shop windows in the run up to Valentine’s Day for more than a decade, but this year the public also has the chance to have their personal messages displayed in a record-breaking chain of paper hearts.

For Valentine’s Day, the BHF is attempting to break the world record for the longest chain of paper hearts, which currently stands at 8,525. With the help and support of people in the South West, the charity is hoping to break this record as a mark of solidarity for the seven million people in the UK fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory disease, which includes 638,900 people in the South West.

To get involved and become a record-breaker, visit one of the 62 BHF shops across the region, make a donation towards life-saving heart research and write a message on a World Record heart to be included in the impressive final chain.

What you write on the hearts could be anything from a thank you or dedication in memory of someone, to a message for a loved one, best friend, family member, work bestie or even your pet.

The World Record hearts will be sold in BHF shops across the country in the run-up to Valentine’s Day and will be sent to London to be included in the World Record attempt, where they will be strung together to create the giant chain.

For more information on the campaign and world record, please visit: www.bhf.org.uk/lovenotes or to find your nearest BHF shop visit: www.bhf.org.uk/shops .