THE parents of Loughton teenager Natalie Glasgow, who died following a hit-and-run accident almost two years ago, have launched a petition for heavier sentences for drivers who leave the scene of an accident.

Paul and Tracey Glasgow aim to collect one million signatures from people who back their call for a minimum five-year sentence for any hit-and-run driver and a minimum ten-year term should the victim die.

Natalie, 17, of Danbury Road, Loughton, and her friend, Stephanie Taylor, 16, were hit by a van as they walked home along Earls Path, Loughton, after a night out in High Beech in May 2005. Natalie died at Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone. Stephanie suffered serious head injuries and is still affected by what happened that night.

The van driver was sentenced to 100 hours community service.

Mr Glasgow said: "Losing a child of any age is devastating, but when her killer was not given a sentence to reflect the crime committed I decided it was time for changes in the law. My daughter's killer may have well knocked down a lamppost instead of a living, breathing, human being. The National Parliamentary Petition is an opportunity for the public, including children, to do their bit. Every signature will be a step nearer to getting justice for citizens in the future."

Mr Glasgow added: "At the moment failure to stop is only a summary charge and can only be heard at magistrates' court with a maximum sentence of six months.

"Anything over six months becomes indictable and has to be heard at Crown Court.

"There's normally a reason for a driver to flee, but we hope it will make them think before even considering leaving the scene. We know we will have a fight on our hands with the Government because the judiciary do not like minimum sentences, only for the most severe crimes such as murder, manslaughter and rape.

"We believe that leaving the scene of an accident, and leaving a person to die, should be up there with the most severe cases. Surely it's tantamount to manslaughter?"

He added: "If Lead The Way Natalie can bring about changes in the law or even get them amended it would be good news for the public at large knowing that sentences would reflect the severity of the crime.

"We're starting with this call for a change in the law as it is close to our hearts with what happened to Natalie.

"We will be taking the Government to task over this and other sentences for different crimes as Lead The Way Natalie grows and becomes known for being a campaign that doesn't just sit back but leads from the front for changes that the public really want."

Through the petition Natalie's family intend to educate young people to the dangers of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, not only to the danger to themselves but to the devastation and grief that can be caused to families who lose a loved one.

Retired judge Keith Matthewman QC, who is backing the campaign, said: "Lead The Way Natalie has been formed to bring such questionable attempts at justice to the attention of decent, law-abiding people. Hopefully this campaign will ensure that, gradually, we have a legal system in this country which cares more about the victims of crime than it does about criminals who are, literally, laughing at the sentences imposed by the courts."

The family intends to present the petition to the House of Commons later this year.

Natalie and Stephanie both attended Roding Valley High School, Loughton, which now presents an annual award in Natalie's memory. Both the girls had gone on to study for a GNVQ in hairdressing at Harlow College.

Natalie's accident, and the family's campaign which was launched on Tuesday, is set to be featured in a BBC documentary.

Copies of the petition, which has been launched on pink paper - Natalie's favourite colour - are available from the Epping Forest Guardian. Email a request for a printable version of the petition to djackman@london.newsquest. co.uk The family has also set up a website at www.leadthewaynatalie.co.uk