IT is always tough when a marriage or a relationship ends, especially when children are involved. Often, grandparents suffer as they have no access rights to grandchildren after a couple break up. Almost half reportedly face being cut off from them completely.

Grandparents are fantastically important members of strong families and do an increasing amount, particularly in terms of childcare.

They also help with family finances, where there are big flows of support to parents and grandchildren.

However, there is little or no recognition of their role in the way the Government has constructed its family policy.

It is also wrong that only half of local authorities have a policy that families should be considered as a first option before a child is fostered or taken into care. Grandparents must have a right to be legal guardians of the child.

A future Conservative government will change the law to ensure grandparents do not lose contact with their grandchildren after a family separation, divorce or bereavement.

Courts should have to consider whether there should be continuing legal rights to access.

Grandparents will also be put at the front of the custody queue if their grandchildren face being fostered or taken into care.

Paul Bristow, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.