An East Lancashire MP has made an emotional Westminster appeal for more government support to tackle alcoholism, in memory of her mother who died from the disease.

Hyndburn's Sara Britcliffe was just nine when her mum Gabrielle Kroger died in 2004.

The Conservative Party vice-chair raised the issue in Business Questions in Parliament.

Miss Britcliffe, whose father Peter is deputy leader of Hyndburn Council, told leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt: "Nineteen years ago today, at the age of nine years old, I woke up to the news that my beautiful mum had died.

"She had an illness.She was an alcoholic. My story of this loss through addiction is not an isolated case.

"While I welcome the government’s harm to hope strategy and the funding for local authorities, more needs to be done to provide wraparound care and support for the families of those who have an addiction.

"Will you support a debate in government time to see what further actions can be taken to support people with addictions, so that we stop others losing loved ones far sooner than they should?"

Ms Mordaunt replied: "Can I thank you for raising this matter, and say that we are all thinking of you today in particular.

"You will know better than anyone the impact that alcoholism and its health aspects can have on families, and on children in particular.

"I thank you for sharing your personal story today, which will help raise awareness and shine a spotlight on the importance of these services.

"You rightly acknowledges that the government have made additional investment in this area.

"I also salute the healthcare professionals around the country who are doing fantastic work, introducing alcohol screening services at accident and emergency and elsewhere in areas where there is high prevalence of these issues.

"We need to do more on that front: the government are tackling a number of issues in our legislative programme, including smoking, but alcohol abuse remains a huge concern for many people in this nation, and we must continue to be vigilant and see what more we can do to help families in that situation."