A Reading Evening Post campaign calling for tougher sentences for knife crime has been given the backing of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer.

The newspaper is calling on the government to guarantee harsher sentences for those caught carrying knives and who use them to commit murder.

It is also aiming to educate youngsters about the dangers of carrying a knife.

It follows a number of high-profile stabbings in the area, including that of Scott Davis, who was killed outside a nightclub in a drug-fuelled attack in 2001. His killer has been told he could be eligible for parole in five years - after serving just ten years of a life sentence.

As part of the Knives Cost Lives campaign Scott's sister Lucy and Reading East MP Rob Wilson met with the Lord Chancellor, and he has now pledged to take up the matter with Home Secretary John Reid.

The Evening Post has also launched an online petition, and is selling blue wristbands so people can demonstrate their support.

All the proceeds from the wristbands, which are on sale for £1 at the Evening Post offices and at newsagents, will go towards producing a publication about the dangers of knives which will be distributed to every school in the area.

Deputy editor Hilary Scott said: "There is an awful lot of local support. It has been fantastic."