THE family of a soldier found shot dead in mysterious circumstances have launched a campaign to force the Government to hold a public inquiry into his death.

Geoff and Diane Gray, formerly of Seaham, County Durham, are travelling to Westminster later this month to voice their demands for an inquiry into the deaths of four privates at the Royal Logistic Corps base at Deepcut barracks, Surrey.

Their 17-year-old son, also called Geoff, was found dead with two bullet wounds to the head in September last year. The Army informed the family it was suicide, but the Gray's believe he was murdered, after discovering a list of discrepancies surrounding his death.

Today, The Northern Echo is backing the Grays' campaign for answers and is backing their request for an inquiry. All replies will be forwarded to Prime Minister Tony Blair in a bid for action.

The family also wants a wider examination of non-natural deaths at British Army bases.

Mr Gray said: "Not only do we want a public inquiry but we want a wider remit into deaths at other Army bases.

"This is a nationwide problem. I do not think the Government can hold off from having an inquiry much longer.

"The pressure is getting to it. We have tremendous support from the public but the more people who back our calls for an inquiry the better.

"We will not rest until we know how our son died."

The Grays are being backed by the parents of Dale Little, of Stanley, County Durham, and Gary Riches, of Newcastle, who were found dead at their bases in Bosnia, during 1995.

They will be joined on the trip to Westminister by the family of Alan Sharples and Richard Robertson, who were serving soldiers at Catterrick Garrison, North Yorkshire, when they were found dead from gunshot wounds.

In each case, the families are unhappy with the way the Army conducted investigations into the deaths.

MP Kevin McNamara discovered that 1,748 British soldiers have died in non-combat circumstances in the past decade. More than 100 MPs have signed an early-day motion backing the families' demands.

If you would like to pledge your support for a public inquiry into non-natural deaths at UK army bases please fill in the coupon in today's Northern Echo which will be forward to Prime Minister Tony Blair.