MP TIM Farron lent his support to a support group for men dealing with prostate cancer.

The Bay Prostate Cancer Support Group, which provides a forum for men to talk about their experiences of the condition, held its first meeting in Kendal's Miles Thompson Wetherspoon’s pub after moving from its usual venue, the CancerCare Centre on Blackhall Road.

Organiser Den Bray said: “Men are often very reluctant to talk about their health so we decided to move the meeting to Wetherspoon’s to provide a more relaxed and informal space for the group to meet.

“I was delighted Mr Farron accepted our invitation to the meeting. Men often have a "head in the sand" mentality when it comes to health issues, particularly cancer, and Tim’s support will help us get the message out to a wider audience that we are here to listen and give advice based on real life experience.”

The group is made up of men who are undergoing, or have had, treatment for prostate cancer and it holds support groups across the Morecambe Bay area.

Mr Farron spent the morning listening to the men’s experiences and also gave an update on his campaign to improve radiotherapy services in South Lakeland.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said: “I was very pleased to be invited to visit the group. I was extremely interested in the issues raised, such as the need for routine testing of men over the age of 50, particularly in an area such as ours where the average age of the population is ten years above the national average.

“Hearing the men describe the costs, both financial and in terms of wellbeing, of travelling to Preston for treatment also reinforced the need we have for radiotherapy in Kendal.

“I saw how important it was for the members to talk and open up to each other, and I would say to anyone who is living with prostate cancer and is struggling to cope at such a difficult time, this is the group you should be getting in touch with.”

To find out more visit www.tbpcsg.org or call CancerCare on 01524-381820.