ILKLEY MP John Grogan is backing a campaign raising awareness of the disease which killed his father.

He signed a 'Purple Alert' pledge at a Pancreatic Cancer UK drop-in event in Westminster.

Mr Grogan's father – who taught at St Anne's School, Keighley, during the 1950s – died from the disease 14 years ago.

People are being urged to support the Purple Alert campaign as part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Figures show that between 2010-14, 130 people in the NHS Airedale, Wharfedale & Craven Clinical Commissioning Group area lost their lives to pancreatic cancer.

Over 90 per cent of people diagnosed will not survive five years or more, says Pancreatic Cancer UK.

And it warns that unless urgent action is taken, the disease will become the fourth biggest cancer killer by 2026.

Mr Grogan said: "It is clear that much more work is required to deliver the kind of change which we must see for people affected, and to achieve the improvements in survival so desperately needed.

"I want to encourage everyone in Keighley to join me in getting on Purple Alert this month, to help change the future for all those affected by the disease."

His support is welcomed by Alex Ford, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

"We're extremely grateful that Mr Grogan has signed our Purple Alert pledge," he said.

"Whilst significant improvements have been made in survival for many other cancers, that for pancreatic cancer has seen little change.

"That's why we are calling on people in Keighley to help us raise more funds for research into the disease and provide vital support for those affected."

For more details, visit pancreaticcancer.org.uk/pcam.