ANGRY families have taken to the streets to call for justice for their loved ones.

The Walk for Justice protest, which took place in Middlesbrough on Saturday, was supported by 15 families who felt let down by justice.

Barbara Dunne, whose 31-year-old son, Robert, was stabbed with a Samurai sword yards from his home in West Lane, Middlesbrough, in January 2003, organised the protest.

Mrs Dunne, who was elected as a councillor in May to Middlesbrough Council, believes the approach is the only way to force a change in the law.

"The protest has certainly gathered support from last year, with 15 families taking to the streets after they have lost a loved one," she said.

Clare Conroy, the mother of eight-year-old Daniel Conroy Curtin, who was killed by a joyrider in Middlesbrough, is counting the days until the driver is released from a young offenders' institution.

She said: "Just when you think you are coming to terms with your loss, something comes along as a stark reminder and all the feelings come flooding back.

"I am dreading the coming weeks as it gets closer and closer to Ashley Lindo's release. He has served hardly any time at all and we will be serving a life sentence with our loss."

Ann Ming - who was awarded an MBE for her campaign to overturn the double jeopardy law following the murder of her daughter, Julie Hogg, in 1989 - attended to show support.

She said: "People are left feeling a sense of loss of justice when they see short sentences passed, but the only way to change anything is to stand up and fight and that is exactly what this walk is about."

Jan Woodward, whose daughter, Kelly, was killed by a drink-driver, is calling for a change in the law for driving bans. She said: "The driver who killed Kelly will serve most of his driving ban behind bars, so how can that be justice.

"We want the ban to start when they are released from prison so they are being kept off the roads for longer."

Ray Mallon, the Mayor of Middlesbrough, also marched through the town to show his support.

The former detective, nicknamed Robocop, said: "This walk has highlighted the concerns of people who have lost loved ones and they deserve our support."