THE state of Britain's NHS has been advertised throughout Ryedale as a Liberal Democrat campaign vehicle toured the constituency.

The party's candidate Keith Orrell spent the day travelling through Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering and Malton and speaking to voters.

The advert claims that health care was equally bad under Labour and the Tories.

Mr Orrell said: "It is a striking advert and it made a very strong backdrop when I was speaking to people about Liberal Democrat policies."

Updated: 16:45 Thursday, May 24, 2001