A PETITION in favour of tighter laws over the sale of airguns has been presented to Gateshead Council.

The petition, presented by members of the local Labour Party, was drawn up after a local girl was blinded in one eye in November.

Several other such petitions are being collected across the borough and will be presented to the Government calling for tighter gun laws.

Labour's Pelaw and Heworth Action Team leader Bob Goldsworthy said: "People have been very supportive of the petition and local shops and other facilities have taken copies of the petition for people to sign."