DVT victim's mother in law lobby

Brenda Wilson began campaigning after her son's death in 2001

A woman from Wigan whose son died after contracting deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is asking the Prime Minister for a change in the law.

Brenda Wilson wants Tony Blair to support a new Aviation Bill making airlines responsible for the health of their passengers.

Her son, Neil, 32, died from a heart attack after suffering DVT following a two-hour flight from Benidorm in 2001.

She is among six campaigners handing in a petition to 10 Downing Street later.

The petition asks the government to support a Private Member's Bill that would make airlines responsible for illnesses caused by air travel.

Currently, the aviation industry is responsible for deaths or injuries caused by accidents, but not for those that are caused by DVT.

The issue of whether airlines are liable to pay compensation in these cases will be decided by the High Court later this year.

Last month British Airways said it would not be pursuing legal costs even if the court ruled in its favour.