A regional daily’s plea for a “life-saving” change in the law is set to become reality after being approved by the House of Lords.

Peers have backed amendments to a Bill setting out Awaab’s Law following a campaign by the Manchester Evening News in memory of dead toddler Awaab Ishak.

A total of 177,581 signed a petition created by the MEN and housing charity shelter calling for social landlords to face strict time limits to inspect and repair damp and mould.

The campaign was launched after reporter Stephen Topping’s search for Awaab’s family uncovered a string of cases of children who had fallen seriously ill in similar housing conditions to those that led to the child’s death in Rochdale.

Stephen was joined by Awaab’s father Faisal Abdullah in handing in the petition at Downing Street on Tuesday, the same day the Bill was discussed in the Lords, with the MEN splashing on the issue the following day, pictured.

Presenting the Bill to the Lords, Baroness Scott of Bybrook said: “I would like to thank the family, alongside Shelter and the Manchester Evening News, for their steadfast campaigning on Awaab’s Law.

“This law will make a real difference to people’s lives, and I hope that brings some degree of comfort to all of those who knew and who loved Awaab.”

Reporting from Westminster, Stephen wrote: “It was a scandal that should have never happened. But now, thanks to overwhelming support from thousands who simply couldn’t be ignored by lawmakers, a legacy has been secured for little Awaab.”