AN MP has welcomed a new 24-hour TV for children at a hospital.

The urgent care centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospital will now provide all day programming for children in its children's waiting area after an intervention from Pendle's MP Andrew Stephenson.

Mr Stephenson was contacted through Facebook by a father who had to take their child to the urgent care centre during the evening after suffering a broken bone.

They found the CBBC TV channel in the children’s waiting area was turned off after the end of programming at 7pm, leaving children admitted afterwards without entertainment.

After Mr Stephenson raised the matter with the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, they acted acted swiftly to ensure that POP 206, a 24-hour children’s channel, will be on in the waiting room after CBBC finishes.

Mr Stephenson said: Accidents or emergencies can happen at any time and it is important the NHS provides the best possible service to children and young families."

Kevin McGee, chief executive at the trust said: “This was an excellent suggestion, and one we have acted on. From now on, we will access POP 206 television channel, which shows children’s films and entertainment and is a 24 hour channel, once CBBC ends at 7pm.”