STUDENTS in Hendon are helping the British Heart Foundation raise funds for a major new research project.

Mending Broken Hearts is a five-year national appeal which aims to fund research into finding a cure for coronary heart disease, one of the biggest causes of premature death in Barnet.

Students at Middlesex University's Hendon campus have planned a number of events to help the charity reach its target. The first on February 25 - Red Hearts Day - will see students wearing bright-red fancy dress to raise awareness of heart disease.

Genna Solleri, Student Union representative and campaign organiser, said: “It’s a great initiative and something I would definitely like to see the university get more involved with in the future.

"We are only in the planning stages but have plenty of events lined up for the coming months.”

Mending Broken Hearts aims to raise £50 million to complete stem cell research. It is hoped this will lead to techniques in the next ten years which will allow damaged heart muscle to be repaired.