A 14-month Herald & Post campaign prompted an MP to call for a change in road laws to make it compulsory for children aged 14 and under to wear helmets while riding bikes.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Wellingborough and Rushden MP Peter Bone praised the efforts of his local newspaper to highlight the dangers children face when cycling without a helmet.

Lawrence John, the senior reporter at the paper who has led the campaign, started a petition to make it compulsory for children to wear cycling helmets when riding their bikes.

The MP told Parliament: “My excellent and informative local weekly newspaper, the Herald & Post, has been actively campaigning for a change in the law.

“Last November, I presented to parliament the petition organised by the Herald & Post. I should like to praise the Herald & Post for all its work in raising awareness in this field.”

Backed by nine other MPs, he introduced a 10 Minute Rule Bill calling for a law to make it compulsory for children aged 14 and under to wear a cycle helmet on their bikes.

The Post campaign kicked off last August with a splash featuring comments from a Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance doctor who told of the head injuries he had dealt with as a result of bike riders not wearing helmets.

The campaign has also featured stories of people whose children have been in cycling accidents, and safe cycling routes to school are currently being drawn up by local school children.