Paul Flynn has represented Newport West in Parliament since 1987

The Newport West MP, 72, was taken to London's St Thomas' Hospital after collapsing in the Commons tea room on Tuesday evening.

Mr Flynn suffered what is known as a transient ischaemic attack.

He has left hospital, and joked: "I will have to forego morris dancing and marathon running in the future."

"The type of attack I suffered doesn't leave any marks and there is no residual damage," he added.

"All my bits are working as they were before which isn't saying much."

Elected in 1987, the MP has been a constant thorn in the side of his own government on issues such as drug legislation and nuclear weapons.

In March this year, he joined 94 other Labour rebels to vote against renewing the ageing Trident nuclear missile system.

Last year he also called on the UK government to licence the opium poppy trade in Afghanistan, to help combat a world shortage in the pain-killing drug morphine.

Mr Flynn's wife Sam said: "The doctors have gone through the whole gamut of tests and everything is looking fine.

"Paul is already up and about and wearing everybody's ears off."

According to NHS Direct, this type of attack is often referred to as a mini-stoke because the symptoms often resemble a full stroke.