A Midlands newspaper is joining forces with a sister publication on Tyneside to campaign for life sentences for drink drivers who kill.

The Birmingham Evening Mail launched its campaign to reflect growing local concern of what is seen as leniency in the courts towards motorists convicted of serious drink-drive and drugs-related driving offences.

Calls went up from local MPs and safety organisations for action after the death of three-year-old Isobel Appleton in an accident only hours after the driver had taken cocaine. He was jailed for five years – and could be out in less than three.

The sentence was despite 93 previous convictions, some of which had resulted in custody.

The Mail is running its campaign alongside one in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, with both calling on the Home Secretary to impose life sentences.

The current maximum sentence for driving offences where death is caused is ten years.

But there is also an offence of motor manslaughter, for which any sentence up to and including life can be handed down.