An MP has given her support to the Save Our Pharmacies campaign after a visit to Whitchurch.

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan visited Green End Pharmacy in Whitchurch and backed the National Pharmacy Association’s campaign.

The MP, who is also the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health and Care, spoke about the "deserts" being created in many rural areas due to pharmacy closures.

She has highlighted that many of her constituents have faced 30-mile drives to get urgent medication due to the lack of late-night pharmacies in the area.

Currently, seven pharmacies are closing every week, with many in rural areas and market towns struggling to keep their doors open.

This is said to be due to pharmacies making losses on dispensing medicines because they are not being fully reimbursed for the cost of many prescription drugs.

The National Pharmacy Association said that a record number of pharmacies are shutting down, calling the NHS drug payment system "utterly broken."

They are calling for significant investment in NHS Community Pharmacy schemes to support the sector and ensure the most vulnerable are provided for.

Ms Morgan said: "Independent community pharmacies offer a huge amount to the customers they serve both here in North Shropshire and across the country.

"Despite this, seven pharmacies are closing every week, creating deserts in many of our most rural areas.

"That isn’t good enough and creates a system where many cannot access the support and medicines they need.

"It was very useful to meet with the team at Green End Pharmacy in Whitchurch and offer my support to the Save Our Pharmacies campaign and sign their petition."