A NORTH-EAST politician has signed a pledge to fight for increased funding for research into brain tumours.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group on brain tumours which met at Westminster this week for the first time since the general election.

The group aims to shape Government policy while continuing to give a voice to patients and the wider brain tumour community in the hope of tackling what it labels as “historic underfunding” of research into the disease.

Mr Wilson said: “The situation for those affected by brain tumours in our communities needs changing.

“It is essential that the UK leads the way in investing in research and I welcome all that is being done by the All Party Parliamentary Group on brain tumours and the wider brain tumour community to ensure sustainable improvements are made.”

The meeting comes almost one year since the disease claimed the life of Anna Swabey, of Newton Aycliffe, who died aged 25 following a high profile fight which saw her help raise £80,000 - a figure that has continued to grow.