Paul Burstow MP has launched the first national Government cancer awareness campaign to highlight the early signs of bowel cancer.

It is part of a £8.5 million package from health minister and Sutton and Cheam Mr Burstow.

Following an advertising campaign across the south east, the 'Be Clear on Cancer' campaign lead to a 48 per cent increase in people with symptoms visiting their GP.

It also prompted a 32 per cent increase in urgent referrals to hospitals over the campaign period.

Paul Burstow said: "No one likes thinking about cancer, or talking about their poo. But the plain fact is no one dies of embarrassment, they can die of cancer if they don’t get an early diagnosis."