Airgun attacks on North East youngsters are due to be highlighted at the Labour party conference on Wednesday.

Party officials from Gateshead are due to speak in a debate on crime and justice at the Blackpool conference.

Over the past 18 months a Tyneside girl has lost an eye and a Teesside teenager has died in air weapon attacks.

Anne Wheeler from Felling is due to urge the government to bring in tough new laws to curb airgun ownership.

The government has said it is willing to re-examine airgun laws, but the North East delegation wants swift action.

Nicola Diston lost the sight in her left eye

Nicola Distin, from Gateshead lost her sight in one eye when she was shot by two teenagers in November 2001.

Two teenagers were given custodial sentences after they admitted unlawfully wounding the then 15-year-old.

Matthew Sheffield, 14, from Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, died in April 2001 after being shot in the head by a friend.

Daryl Allison, 14, was found guilty of manslaughter and is awaiting sentence.

Gateshead East and Washington West Labour party has been pressing the government to discuss the issue at Blackpool after the North East incidents.

Also at the debate will be Bob Goldsworthy of the Heworth and Pelaw Labour Action Team, who has been highly active in the air guns campaign.

He said: "I will be at the crime and justice debate hoping to lobby conference delegates on behalf of victims of these dangerous weapons."