THE region's MPs last night piled the pressure on the Government to crack down on yobs abusing airguns.

A number of North-East MPs lent their support to a Private Member's Bill introduced in the Commons aimed at banning unsupervised use of the weapons by teenagers under 17.

MPs said it was time for the Government to act to tighten up legislation to prevent another tragedy involving airguns. Last year, teenager Matthew Sheffield, of Eaglescliffe, Teesside, was killed by an airgun after larking about with friends.

Nicola Distin, 15, of Gateshead, was left blind in one eye after she was shot while walking home.

A group of North-East MPs, including Dari Taylor, Ashok Kumar, Vera Baird, Bill Etherington and Chris Mullin, have now secured a meeting with Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth to tackle him over the issue.

Mrs Taylor, who represents Stockton South, said: "Across the House, everybody has awful stories to tell of the abuse of airguns in their own constituency.

"We all have had letters galore stating that people have had near misses or been quite seriously injured in some cases.

"This is a serious issue and the Government must take action."

Mrs Taylor said that she had heard "whispers" that the Government may include changes to legislation in the Queen's Speech, which takes place next month.

Yesterday's Air Weapons Bill, which was presented by Jonathan Shaw, the Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford, called on the Government to amend the 1968 Firearms Act to include airguns.

At present, children as young as 14 can use the weapons which are often high powered and equipped with "extras", such as silencers.

The Bill was backed by the RSPCA which has condemned the rising number of airgun attacks on animals.

Mr Kumar, who represents Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "I strongly supported the Bill and I am highly optimistic that the Government will act."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Both the Home Secretary David Blunkett and Prime Minister Tony Blair have undertaken to address this issue.

"The Government is conscious of the irresponsible use of these weapons, and a series of incidents involving them have been brought to our attention."