THE families of eight victims of sudden cardiac death have helped to launch a campaign for more extensive heart screening in young people.

Charity Cry (Cardiac Risk In The Young) is circulating postcards featuring the faces of eight North-East victims as part of a 12-month lobbying campaign. Supporters are being urged to send the postcards to their MPs.

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor, who recently persuaded the Government to set up a panel of experts to look at changing national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of sudden cardiac death, was at the launch, at Redcar Cricket Club, east Cleveland yesterday.

Jimmy and Ann Wilson, of Washington, Wearside, allowed a photo of their son, James, 24, to be used on the card. On New Year's Day, the student went to bed, but never woke up.

"There should have been more investigations," said Mrs Wilson.

A picture of Kenny and Marilyn Bowen's son, Ian, who died aged 19 while out for a drink with a friend, is also on the postcard.

RAF cadet Ian, from Redcar, had been told he had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, causing short-circuiting in the heart.

"He was on a waiting list for a procedure to help him," said Mr Bowen. "At least we know what our son died from."

Alison Cox, chief executive of Cry, said: "By showing just some of the faces behind the stories, we can help people begin to understand the heartbreak caused by this cruel killer."