Local MP Simon Hart is pictured with leading campaigner Lynn Faulds Wood learning more about her fight to prevent bowel cancer deaths.

Mr. Hart has a personal reason to back her campaign as his own mother has beaten the disease.

"Few people talk about bowel cancer and yet it is preventable and curable," explained Mr. Hart.

"In this area, over 3,140 people will be diagnosed at some time in their lives with bowel cancer and nearly 1,413 could die.

"And yet it is very easy to treat. My mum is a very good example, as soon as she saw signs she got herself checked out and it saved her life.

"She's now been cancer-free for more than five years because it was caught early."

Brits are among the slowest in Europe at being diagnosed with bowel cancer - possibly due to our reservations about talking about our bowels.

Now Mr. Hart is backing Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign which is bringing the subject out into the open.

The campaign has also issued a Cut-Out-And-Keep Guide to the symptoms of this common cancer.

"I would urge anyone who may have any worries not to sit at home hoping it will go away but to overcome any embarrassment and go to their GP - it could just save their life," added Mr. Hart.