A Norwich MP has waded into the debate over the controversial decision to end the funding of a mental health helpline described as 'life-saving' by callers.

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, has today written to Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) asking for an urgent meeting.

It comes after the trust announced it could not continue to fund the Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind helpline, which takes calls from more than 800 patients every month.

Ms Smith said: 'I am extremely concerned to hear this news and I am seeking urgent meetings with Norwich CCG and NSFT to discuss this decision and what other alternatives might be available.

'Central government has made funding available so that mental and physical health are to be treated equally, and I want to make sure this happens in Norwich.'

She wants to meet the CCG and trust on behalf of the Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind charity, to see whether additional funding can be found.

The helpline was originally launched in January 2015 after CCGs were given money to pilot the scheme, in an attempt to ease pressure on other services.

The CCGs decided last summer they could not continue to fund the helpline, but NSFT stepped in and paid for the service to continue.

But its funding runs out at the end of March, and so far neither the CCGs nor NSFT have offered to provide funds for the service.

The charity argues that the service has kept many people out of acute mental health beds and A&E, while service-users say the helpline has saved lives.

This newspaper has launched its We Mind campaign to keep the helpline going, as part of our wider Mental Health Watch campaign.

Our online petition has reached more than 5,800 signatures so far.

To sign the petition click here.

Have you got a mental health story?

Email nicholas.carding@archant.co.uk