A Norwich MP has urged a parish council to act 'sensibly' after it told a mother she could not accompany her diabetic daughter to a Christmas party.

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith was contacted by Sam Dade who was told by Hellesdon Parish Council she could not take her five-year-old daughter, Tilly-Rose, to the council's party, because she was not CRB checked by them.

The professional child minder is CRB checked, but by Norfolk County Council rather than by the parish council.

Ms Smith said: 'I'm extremely concerned about the situation. I sincerely hope that it can be solved sensibly without more distress to the young girl.

'I contacted the parish council straight away to see what can be done and I would expect them to discuss it thoroughly and find a way forward.

'Clearly there is a duty to respect the need to keep all the children safe and to use CRBs to do that, but I can not imagine there is no sensible way to solve this considering that Mrs Dade has, as I understand it, CRBs from two separate bodies.'

'I have urged the chairman of the council, Karen Petch, to resolve the problem without any more distress to the family.'

The parish council is holding a monthly meeting tonight where it will discuss the case.