A NEW public health strategy and campaigns to increase levels of physical activities are needed to ease pressure on the NHS, a Gwent MP has said.

Blaenau Gwent's Nick Smith has called for a new UK-wide public health strategy with measures including banning TV adverts for junk food before 9pm, as well as for councils and schools to do more to encourage physical activity.

In a blog post for website the Huffington Post, the Labour MP said: "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

"If we can improve people’s health and fitness before they need medical or surgical treatment, we all benefit."

Reflecting on the 70th anniversary of the NHS, Mr Smith said: "Today, the NHS faces many challenges. It certainly needs more funding from the UK Government, but it’s a brilliant institution.

"It’s staffed by 1.5 million dedicated professionals and conducts around 38,000 operations each day."

He added: "70 years ago, eradicating polio would have seemed as impossible as eliminating diabetes does today.

"But with better leadership from government and local activity, we can make a start."