Claims the NHS is in 'grave danger' if voters back the Tories have been condemned as 'reckless scaremongering' by a Conservative election candidate.

Eastern Daily Press: (Right to left) Michael Fallon visits Holt in support of James Wild. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP.(Right to left) Michael Fallon visits Holt in support of James Wild. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP. (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk hopeful Norman Lamb believes a big majority for Theresa May at the ballot box could mean the end for the NHS.

But his Tory counterpart James Wild has attacked the Lib Dems for 'pedalling alarmist nonsense' about the future of health under a Tory government.

Mr Lamb, the Liberal Democrat's health spokesman and a former minister for care and support, said: 'I fear for the NHS – it is in a grave situation. If people vote Tory and they win with a big majority I do not see how the NHS, as we know it, can continue. The whole system is in a perilous state.

'I have been working across all parties to try and get a long-term solution for the NHS, a solution that is not bound by party politics.

'For the NHS this country is so rightly proud of to survive in its current state and get better we politicians need to stop shouting at each other and start to work together. That is what I want to do in parliament.'

But Mr Wild, who is hoping to win the seat for the Tories for the first time since 2001, said: 'I have heard from people on the doorstep in North Walsham that Lib Dem canvassers have been claiming the Tories want to make people pay for treatment on the NHS,' he said. 'That is simply not true.

'We are committed to the founding principle of the NHS that treatment should be free at the point of need. We are also committing an extra £8bn during the course of the next parliament.

'I am concerned that this type of campaigning will have concerned people – especially the elderly who so often rely on the NHS – If I am elected on Thursday I will work to ensure North Norfolk gets the health care it needs.'

Labour's candidate in North Norfolk is Stephen Burke.