ACTRESS Maxine Peake has responded to criticism by a Pembrokeshire politician after being paid for a TV advert promoting the NHS.

The actress, a critic of the Westminster Conservative Government’s spending record on the NHS, was paid a “four figure sum” to voice an advert promoting the health service, claimed the Mail on Sunday.

She has hit back against criticism by Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart, who said accepting this fee was hypocritical.

In a statement released on Twitter yesterday, Ms Peake said she donated her fee to the Salford Foundation Trust, of which she is a patron.

This charity works with young people in the area where the star grew up, awarding grants to develop hobbies, skills, interests and talents.

She said: “To clarify, I was not employed by the NHS but by an advertising agency who hold a pre-agreed budget for the whole of the campaign.

“If I had refused the fee, the money wouldn’t have be [sic] returned to the NHS, but to the commercial agency.”

Ms Peake’s statement finished by thanking the Mail on Sunday for highlighting the “wonderful and tireless work” of the Salford Foundation Trust.

Last year, the 44-year-old actress was the face of a Labour Party election broadcast when she said: "Under the Tories, our NHS and social care has been pushed into a state of emergency."

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday this week, Conservative MP Mr Hart said: “It is hypocritical to deliver attacks on the Government for cutting public spending and then pocket taxpayers' money to voice over an advertisement for more nurses.

“I'd have more respect for Maxine if she had forgone the fee and left it with the health service to recruit another nurse.”

A spokesperson for NHS England said Ms Peake offered her support to the campaign at a “significantly reduced rate”.