Winchester MP, Mark Oaten, is calling for a parliamentary debate on the right to die with dignity issue.

He says he has been inundated with messages from constituents calling for a change in the law to allow terminally-ill patients to die without unnecessary suffering.

The letters support the Justice4Diane campaign, organised by the family of Diane Pretty, who died earlier this year of Motor Neurone Disease after an unsuccessful battle through the courts to allow her to die with medical assistance at the time of her choosing.

Mr Oaten said: "The sheer volume of support is unprecedented. In three days, I received over 400 postcards, letters and emails.

"I sympathise greatly with calls to change the law and will support this campaign in Parliament. I am encouraged that so many of my constituents share this view.

"There is clearly massive public empathy and understanding on this issue. The Government must be persuaded to allow Parliament to vote over the right to die with dignity."