SOUTH Lakes MP Tim Farron will lead a debate in the House of Commons tomorrow on the subject of access to cancer treatment for patients.

Currently most people needing radiotherapy treatment in South Cumbria have to travel over an hour to their nearest radiotherapy unit in Preston.

“It’s estimated that one in six of us will need radiotherapy to treat cancer at some point in our lives, but easy access to this treatment can depend entirely on a postcode lottery," said Mr Farron. “It is a sad reality that in rural areas of England like South Cumbria, travel times to cancer treatment can be unbearably long for too many people.

“And often patients are being forced to cover these long distances on public transport without the option of travelling in the relative comfort of a private car.

“It’s vital that we continue to raise this as an issue, not just for people in the South Lakes but across the rest of the country too.”

The debate will take place in Westminster Hall from 4pm