The government has suspended a controversial treatment for women thanks to a weekly newspaper journalist’s campaign.

Kath Sansom, who works for the Cambs Times, has been trying for four years to ban an operation which left her a “physical wreck”.

Kath, pictured, launched her Sling The Mesh drive after she underwent an operation to have what is known as a TVT mesh sling for bladder problems, following childbirth.

Just days after launching a safety review, the government has now announced the operation will be stopped immediately in hospitals across England.

Baroness Julia Cumberlege, chair of the review, has advised the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England that the procedure should not be used until a set of conditions to mitigate the risks of injury are met by March 2019.

Kath told the Times: “This is incredible news and vindication for more than 6,100 members of Sling The Mesh who have been maimed by this operation and then ignored, some for years.

“It is testament to people power. Our members have written, emailed, attended Parliament and lobbied to get this result.

“We now hope Baroness Cumberlege adds rectopexy mesh to the suspension. This is used when patients suffer a rectal prolapse.

“This is even more taboo and more embarrassing than urinary incontinence. It is vital there is a #metoo on rectopexy mesh.”