London's mayor Ken Livingstone is backing Hollie's Fight For Justice campaign by lobbying the Government to change the law when sentencing for driving offences.

The family of Hollie Waller have been campaigning for death and injury to be taken into account in the courts since 15-year-old Hollie was killed in St Peter's Road last February.

Ken Livingstone's endorsement was given in response to GLA member Andrew Pelling's question, posed at a GLA assembly meeting on January 22.

The question concerned whether or not the GLA should support Hollie's campaign by lobbying the government for a change in the law. Ken Livingstone said: "It is a tragedy for a family to lose a daughter in a road crash.

"Reducing deaths and serious injuries on the road is the objective of my road safety plan that was published last year and I will be working to ensure that the targets are met. At present where there is evidence, motorists can be prosecuted for manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, and causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. I agree that recognising the severity of the injury or the death in sentencing may give clearer safety messages to drivers and riders and I would like to give my support to calling upon the Government to consider this proposal positively.

"I consider it is time to increase the penalties in this area for all motorists who kill on our roads whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or other dangerous driving, so that they should face the highest charge of manslaughter."

Hollie's aunt Andrea Pierce said: "I'm a bit stunned but I'm pleased to hear someone high up is supporting our campaign and is willing to lobby the government for change."

Ms Pierce presented a 1,176-strong petition for a pedestrian crossing on St Peter's Road to Croydon Council on January 22.

Over 2,000 local people signed another petition requesting death and injury to be considered when sentencing for driving offences.

Hollie's family will present the petition to Downing Street on the first anniversary of Hollie's death.