ANDY Burnham has backed a Bill which aims to save the lives of young heart attack sufferers.

The Leigh MP sponsored the Private Members' Bill presented to Parliament which seeks to protect young people from sudden cardiac arrest.

He joined sports stars, doctors, academics and a group of MPs supporting the bid to provide effective automatic heart screenings for youngsters at risk from heart problems.

Mr Burnham said: "I have held a close interest in this issue since it was first raised with me by a local couple who had tragically lost their beloved teenage grandson to sudden cardiac arrest. Their story left a lasting impression.

"Up to eight young people die every week from sudden cardiac arrest and it can hit anyone, healthy or unhealthy, at any time. For the families affected the loss leaves a huge void that can never be filled.

"The Bill aims to improve the quality of screening and establish it as an automatic right for those who are at high risk, people with specific signs and symptoms and the genetic relatives of people who have died from specific syndrome.

"Though it is still a long way from becoming law I hope it will serve to raise awareness of this terrible problem and represent a major step forward in reducing the number of young lives tragically lost to it."