A DORSET MP has backed the Daily Echo’s campaign against looped blind cords responsible for the deaths of several children.

The Legacy for Lucy campaign was launched on Saturday with mum Annette Latimer, whose two-year-old daughter Lucy died after getting herself caught up in the blind cord in her bedroom five years ago.

Christchurch MP Christopher Chope said manufacturers had a duty to ensure their products did not put lives at risk.

“I am backing the Daily Echo’s campaign. This issue should be highlighted with manufacturers and with any luck that should produce the right result,” he said.

“Manufacturers of all sorts if equipment have a duty of care to potential users and abusers of their products to ensure it doesn’t result in injuries, particularly fatal injuries.

Mr Chope is hoping the right result can be gained existing regulation.

He added: “I don’t think there is a need for legislation, as I would’ve thought it is something which can be dealt with through existing trading standards law.”

There have been at least 27 blind cord deaths across the UK since 1999, 14 of which have occurred since the start of 2010.

Annette approached the Daily Echo after she found out about another little girl, Sophia Lily Parslow, aged 17 months, who died in the same tragic way as toddler Lucy earlier this year.

She is calling for the looped cords to be banned, while the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has also been lobbying the government to introduce regulation.

New European standards relating to looped blind cords are expected to be released during early 2014, ensuring they are fitted with appropriate safety features, including break away connectors and cleats to secure loose ends.

More than 200 extra signatures have been added to a petition calling for the cords to be banned since the Daily Echo joined forces with Annette on Saturday to launch her campaign.

To sign the Legacy for Lucy petition please click here