SKY Sports should not screen live football on Remembrance Sunday this year, a shadow minister has said.

Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson called on Sports Minister Helen Grant to ask the television network to reconsider scheduling games for the Sunday in November in order to "respect the original intentions of this special day".

She said this meant remembering those who had died for the country.

Four top-flight games took place on Remembrance Sunday last November, with Newcastle United's trip to West Brom and Swansea versus Arsenal screened live on Sky.

A minute's silence was observed at football games across the country over the weekend.

Fixtures for the 2015/16 season will be announced in the summer.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Hodgson told Ms Grant: "As we're well into the 100-year commemorations of the First World War would you reassure the House, veterans in my area as well as my local armed forces network that you will ask Sky to reconsider the scheduling of their broadcast of their matches on Remembrance Sunday, which has happened in Sunderland two years in a row, and instead schedule the games for the Saturday so as to respect the original intentions of this special day - remembering those who give their lives for our country."

Ms Grant replied: "It is important to always remember those who sacrifice their lives for our country. I'm very happy to have a chat with you on those issues."