THE husband of right-to-die campaigner Diane Pretty is bringing his campaign to Teesside.

Brian Pretty wants a change in the law so that terminally ill adults can choose medical help to die.

His wife died at a hospice from motor neurone disease in May after losing a long legal battle to allow him to assist her commit suicide.

This week, Mr Pretty is sending out 20,000 petition cards to homes in Hartlepool and Redcar asking people to sign and return them to him.

Hundreds of residents from both towns have already signed an online petition at www.justice4Diane.org.uk.

He said: "Thank you to all the people of Hartlepool and Redcar who have already signed the petition calling for a change in the law so people in the same position will not have to suffer like Diane did.

"I hope more local people will sign Diane's petition so that everything she fought for will not be forgotten."

Mr Pretty has also asked Teesside MPs Peter Mandelson and Vera Baird for their support, but has not yet received a response.

On Tuesday, he made his first public appearance since his wife's death to meet members of the all-party Parliamentary Group for Compassion in Dying, at Parliament.