SHIPSTON and Bidford MP Nadhim Zahawi is backing Cancer Research UK’s campaign which supports research into the disease.

Mr Zahawi attended the charity's parliamentary event to discover more about how research saves more than five times as many lives as there are seats in the chamber of the House of Commons.

“It’s a real eye-opener to visualise the number of lives saved in terms of seats in the House of Commons," he said. "It’s truly inspiring to see what research can achieve.

"That’s why I’m backing Cancer Research UK’s campaign to make every moment count in the fight against cancer and I’m encouraging everyone to join me.”

The focus of the reception was on the importance of early diagnosis, radiotherapy and surgery in helping to save more lives.

Every year about 28,000 people in the West Midlands and more than 330,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer.

But thanks to research, survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years.

Sara Osborne, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Policy, said: “Although more people are beating the disease than ever before, survival rates in the UK still lag behind the best in Europe for nearly all common cancers.

"This must change and that’s why we need everyone to back our campaign for improvements in all areas of the patient’s journey, from earlier diagnosis to access to the best treatments.”

For more information on how to get involved, visit cruk.org.