East Devon’s MP is standing up for the 4,000 people in his constituency affected by the ‘hidden plight’ of anaemia.

Sir Hugo Swire took a finger-prick test to be checked for the condition, a leading cause of disability that costs the NHS an estimated £54million a year.

Devon has among the highest rates of anaemia in the country, about four times the national average.

While anaemia is highly treatable, the number of patients admitted to hospital with iron deficiency anaemia has increased by 46 per cent since 2011.

The condition often goes undetected due to the commonness of its symptoms which include paleness, fatigue, hair loss and shortness of breath.

Sir Hugo said: “Diagnosis for anaemia and iron deficiency remain disproportionately low, and I encourage any concerned constituents to consult their GP about the matter as soon as possible.”