BROMSGROVE'S MP Julie Kirkbride has pledged her support for a motion in Parliament which urges the Government to give more priority to the care and treatment for lung disease sufferers.

The move follows the publication of a recent study from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) which revealed that lung diseases now kills more people in the UK than coronary heart disease and non-respiratory cancer.

The BTS is now joining forces with MPs at Westminster to campaign for greater Government action on lung disease, which cost the National Health Service a staggering £2,575million to deal with. Miss Kirkbride said: "These new statistics contain some alarming findings which raise significant concern over the lack of Government action in this area."

"As a matter of urgency the Government must work with the respiratory community to develop a comprehensive programme which reflects the immense health and economic burden that respiratory disease exerts in the UK.

"I am delighted to support the BTS's campaign to make this issue a priority," added the local MP.