The HSE is encouraging anyone attending next week's National Ploughing Championship to visit the Health and Wellbeing marquee there.

Over 240,000 people attended last year's event and a similar number is expected at this year's event in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow. The Health and Wellbeing marguee will host a series of hourly demonstrations and health events, including alcohol and parenting talks, health checks and CPR demonstrations.

There will also be information available on a range of services aimed at improving people's lifestyles, such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and living well with and beyond cancer.

A registration area for screening programmes, such as BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen, will also be available.

The Health and Wellbeing marquee will also see a range of experts discussing different topics. For example, HSE child psychologist, Conor Owens, will share his top tips for managing screen time in the family home.

"The best way for children to become healthier, fitter and more sociable is through play. Families are telling us they want a healthier balance between technology and play. We know that too much screen time negatively impacts on all aspects of a child's development.

"Our tips are practical and simple and will make a real difference to you and your family. Reducing screen time, even by 30 minutes every day, will bring real benefits. Introducing your kids to games that you played when you were their age is a great way for everyone to get moving and active," he explained.

Meanwhile, the HSE is also aiming to raise awareness of peripheral artery disease (PAD) at the Ploughing Championships.

PAD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries serving the legs, stomach, arms and head. Both PAD and coronary artery disease (CAD) are caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

"We are launching an awareness and screening drive on PAD at the Ploughing Championships. Health literacy is extremely important among the public and is effective in terms of preventing and managing a diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease and knowing the risks and symptoms involved.

"Even though many of the risk factors are similar to cardiac disease, the initial symptoms patients suffer are often mistaken as muscular related," commented Pamela Ryan, a vascular clinical nurse specialist at University Hospital Limerick.

The HSE team will be based in the Health and Wellbeing marquee, located at Block 3, Row 21, Stand 458 in the Government of Ireland Village at the Ploughing Championships, from September 17-19.

For more information on the National Ploughing Championship, click here.