FORMER Hyndburn MP and right to life campaigner Ken Hargreaves has helped launch a new national charity promoting "respect for human life".

Mr Hargreaves, 67, of Park Lane, Oswaldtwistle, said the Right to Life Trust, will aim to educate and inform people that they have a choice when it comes to abortion or euthanasia.

He said the charity would be a "caring organisation" offering pro-life support and advice.

He said: "It is all right telling young pregnant girls they shouldn't have an abortion but you have got to offer them help and advice to let them see that abortion is not the only option.

"We are simply saying abortion is wrong and there is an alternative "We want to give women a chance to see all of their options and make an informed decision. There is no pressure we just want people to have the chance to see all of their available options."

The Right to Life Trust will be based in London and Mr Hargreaves is to act as a trustee.

He said the charity aimed to combat the "development in some hospitals where assisted food and fluid are sometimes withdrawn from patients with the purpose of causing death".

The pro-life campaign is a cause close to the former MP's heart and he is chairman of the Right to Life pressure group.

He said the charity aimed to set up phone lines for advisers to speak to pregnant women and they hope to make presentations in schools.

And although it was early days for the group he hoped to take the charity's message to East Lancashire schools in the future.

Mr Hargreaves added: "I believe in the sanctity of life and that we do not have the right to take lives away, whether that be in the form of abortion or letting someone die in hospital."

He said he hopes to raise at least £100,000 from donations to get the charity off the ground.