SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown is fighting to make digital hearing aids available on the NHS.

Ms Drown has been campaigning with the charity Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID).

Negotiations with hearing aid manufacturers have dramatically reduced the cost of digital hearing aids to the NHS to about £75. Similar hearing aids purchased privately can cost up to £2,000 each.

Previously the NHS had to pay £140 to £205 for advanced digital hearing aids. The reduced price means a further cost saving to NHS trusts.

Ms Drown said: "I will write to local NHS trusts to urge them to take advantage of these new developments and modernise hearing aid services."