AN MP has written to the Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group asking it to introduce a specialist one-to-one eating disorder service for young people in south Cumbria.

Figures from the charity BEAT show that more than three quarters of children with eating disorders in Cumbria aren't seen by a psychologist within the national standard of four weeks, while some have to wait more than 12 weeks.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: "I'm constantly staggered by the amount of people that write to me about how their child has been denied vital treatment because they weren't thin enough.

"Would somebody who had been diagnosed with stage 1 cancer be told 'clear off until you've got stage 4, come back when you're at death's door?'

“There is a desperate need out there for a specialist service but sadly those parents continue to be let down by the decision makers.

“On World Mental Health Day, our local health bosses need to put this right for our young people who desperately need and deserve that help.”