LEEDS North West MP Greg Mulholland has pledged to continue the fight alongside Arthritis Research UK to help people who suffer from the condition.

In Leeds alone, more than 50,000 people have the most common form of arthritis - osteoarthritis of the knee - with many more living with other forms of the condition.

Before the election, Mr Mulholland agreed to become an ‘Arthritis Champion’, supporting the charity’s ‘Prevent, Transform, Cure’ manifesto, which calls for an end to the myth that nothing can be done for people with arthritis.

The MP pledged to campaign to make musculoskeletal conditions a public health priority; fight to ensure that people with arthritis get high-quality care at the time that they need it, and champion the UK’s leadership role in medical research.

Speaking at Arthritis Research UK’s reception this week he said: "I’m proud to be an Arthritis Champion for the thousands of local people living with the pain of arthritis. We need to put the issues that people with arthritis face at the forefront of the new Parliament’s agenda, and work to transform services for the better.

"Today I’ve learnt more about the vital work of Arthritis Research UK and heard first-hand about some of the challenges people living with the condition face daily.

"I’m committed to making a difference in my first 100 days in Parliament and beyond. Together we can fight this debilitating condition that has such a huge impact on all aspects of people’s lives in Leeds."

Dr Liam O’Toole, chief executive officer of Arthritis Research UK, said: "I’m delighted that Greg Mulholland MP is our Arthritis Champion in Leeds North West. The support of our champions is paramount to highlight the needs of people with arthritis.

"The vision for the future is clear, there needs to be a public health approach focusing on preventing arthritis and transforming the services for the 10 million people affected by this devastating condition and ultimately support medical research seeking to find a cure. Together we can make this happen."

Visit www.arthritisresearchuk.org/voice or email action@arthritisresearchuk.org for further information.