Sports minister Kate Hoey has reaffirmed the promise she made to This Is Essex partner the Gazette by pledging to consider legislation concerning the safety of mobile goalposts.

Miss Hoey was speaking during a House of Commons debate in which Braintree MP Alan Hurst - who has backed the Gazette's campaign - and Labour colleague Bob Blizzard, MP for Waveney, highlighted the perils of portable posts.

She also said she hoped the FA and British Standards Institute would consider a British Standard for goals as a "matter of urgency". The BSI has launched an investigation following the Gazette's campaign.

Reflecting on the debate, Mr Blizzard said: "I'm very pleased Miss Hoey agreed to consider introducing legislation to ensure goalposts used in this country are safe.

"She has said she will be looking at the way legislation has been introduced in France where it is illegal to use sub-standard posts.

"We cannot afford to have even one more child's death added to those already killed by killer goalposts."

Miss Hoey said almost 2,000 people suffered injuries and accidents involving goalposts - including full-size posts - between 1990 and 1997.

She added: "Raising awareness of this issue amongst the people who run junior teams is absolutely vital. When we look at the idea of legislation we have to see how that legislation will make a difference."

Alan Hurst, who also spoke during the debate, said public awareness of the dangers posed would be crucial in the fight to prevent further tragedies.

We launched our drive for new safety measures with the help of Witham mum Brenda Smith, whose son Jonathan died when a post collapsed on him in 1991.

Mrs Smith, of Tees Close, yesterday said: "This is an encouraging development, but I won't rest until I hear legislation has been introduced.

"Then I'll know Jonathan didn't die in vain."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.