A Labour MP has told of his anguish after his 12-year-old son suffered a stroke after a football match with friends.

Iain Wright, who succeeded Peter Mandelson in Hartlepool, is waiting for more news about son Benjamin.

The youngster is recovering after suffering the stroke following a game of football with friends.

The alert was raised by MrWright's father, Mervyn, 63, when Benjamin went to his house from Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool.

Now the 33-year-old MP wants to warn other parents to watch out for changes in their own children.

He said his son had been playing football outside school.

Mr Wright said: "Afterwards, he complained of losing his vision in his left eye and said that he was feeling funny down his left hand side.

"I got a phone call from my dad to say that Ben was not feeling well and that he felt it best if I take him to hospital."

Mr Wright, whose grandmother, Joyce Harland, 77, died this month, took his son to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, where they ruled out a blood clot, brain haemorrhage and a brain tumour.

He was then sent to Newcastle General Hospital for further tests, where it was established he had suffered a stroke on Friday, April 28.

Mr Wright, and wife, Tiffiny, 34, have three other children Jacob, nine, Hattie, three, and Billy, 19 months, said: "Apparently this is extraordinarily rare and in a week or so he has recovered remarkably well.

"The chances are when you have a stroke when you are young you have got a weak heart.

"But there is nothing wrong with his and they are not sure what caused it - although we have been told that is something quite positive."

Benjamin has regained most of his feeling in his left side, although doctors have said he will get tired more easily while he fully recovers.

Mr Wright said: "His speech has come back completely and his walking is practically back to normal, but he gets tired quickly."

Benjamin now needs physiotherapy to aid a full recovery and will only be going back to school part-time in the short-term.

And Mr Wright now wants to warn other parents to look out for changes in their child, but without panicking people.

"From speaking to people, the condition is rare, but the symptoms are not. Be aware of any changes in your child's movement or slurry speech - be aware, but don't panic."