Sir Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has announced he will not stand at the next general election and has set up a trust that will support the work of mental health and learning disability charities.

Lamb has been an MP for 18 years and was a health minister during the coalition government.

Today he launched a fund with Norfolk Community Foundation with £10,000 of his money to start it off and is inviting others to add to it. He is also exploring the idea of a national fund.

The Norman Lamb Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund will give money to grassroots charities and organisations in Norfolk which help improve mental wellbeing.

Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press, he said: “We've of course had years of negative stories about mental health and learning disabilities and failing organisations. I'm conscious there are great people who do amazing work in our county.

“The fund I will set up, it will be a Norfolk fund, it will be supporting the fully outstanding work in this county, people who are doing brilliant work but are often unsung.”

Claire Cullens, chief executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “Our work supporting local organisations at the frontline of mental wellbeing provision has shown that this issue often sits behind our work with vulnerable families and other community issues.

"We are excited to be working alongside Sir Norman Lamb to shout louder about the importance of improving mental wellbeing, raising awareness and inspiring others to give to improve mental wellbeing in Norfolk.”