A letter from the parents of a boy who was shot in the head with an airgun is being handed to Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday.

Matthew Sheffield, 14, from Eaglescliffe in Stockton on Tees, died after being shot by a friend.

His parents want tighter controls on air weapons and a ban on their ownership by youngsters.

The letter and a petition are being handed in to Downing Street by a group of MPs, including Stockton south MP Dari Taylor.

These weapons are extremely dangerous and have caused tragedies

Stockton south MP Dari Taylor

Matthew died after Daryl Allison fired an airgun at his head in April 2001.

Allison was convicted of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court on 20 August and will be sentenced in September.

Ms Taylor said: "We have to have a license for a television, but you can buy an airgun without any controls whatsoever.

"We are bringing to the attention of the prime minister the very fact that these airguns are easily available.

"These weapons are extremely dangerous and have caused tragedies and controls are long overdue."

Wendy Sheffield, Mathew's mother, said: "The government should bring in the same regulations that they have for other weapons so that you need a license."