FORMER England cricket captain Ian Botham and North-East MP Kevan Jones are spearheading a Parliamentary campaign to cut the risk of sudden death in young people with undetected heart conditions.

The North Durham MP has formed a new all-party group calling for mass screening of schoolchildren to detect those at risk of dying young as a result of strenuous activities such as sport.

It is estimated that up to eight youngsters in Britain die every week as a result of heart conditions which may have been treatable if detected early enough.

At a Westminster launch, Mr Botham, who lives near Richmond in North Yorkshire, said that doctors often put the cause of death down to other factors because "they can't believe that a fit and healthy young person can die from taking part in a sport".

He said: ''This campaign is all about stopping this and nipping the risk in the bud. It has been swept under the carpet for far too long."

Also at the launch was Jeff Morland, from West Rainton near Durham City, whose 22-year-old son Levon died suddenly in January.

While a heart abnormality had been detected earlier, ''he was just told to get on with his life,'' said Jeff.

Kevan Jones is chairing the new all-party group and South Stockton MP Dari Taylor is secretary.