THE Prime Minister has called for tougher sentences for dangerous drivers after hearing about the death of eight-year-old Billy Jo Dean in Bolton.

Tony Blair expressed his anger at such cases and said he wanted to send a tough message to those who drive recklessly.

Billy was killed when a motorbike mounted the pavement in Stoneclough in August, 2002, when Steven Harrison, of Hartford Drive, Tyldesley, lost control after attempting a "wheelie".

He admitted causing death by dangerous driving. His six-year sentence was later reduced to five by the Court of Appeal and he could be paroled next year, even though he was driving while disqualified and had previous drink-drive convictions.

Mr Blair's comments at Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons came just days after the Attorney General revealed new procedures to make sure mistakes -- which led to Billy's family not being informed of Harrison's appeal -- would not happen again.

After the Common's debate, Billy's father, Joe Dean, of Bridge Street, Prestolee, reiterated his call for reckless drivers who kill to be handed the full 14-year sentence.

He said: "If people realised they face a long stretch in prison, it would make them stop and think before driving in such an irresponsible way. Harrison got a few years in jail but this family is serving a life sentence."

Mr Blair was responding in the Commons to a question from Bolton South-east MP Brian Iddon, who told the Prime Minister that sentencing for dangerous driving was far too lenient.

The Prime Minister said he shared Dr Iddon's anger over the victims of dangerous driving and wants the courts to use new powers which have increased the penalty for causing death by dangerous driving from 10 to 14 years.

Mr Blair said: "I hope that the new sentencing guidelines will allow us to make sentences more consistent."

Dr Iddon said: "There has been more than one incident in my constituency of drivers having their sentences reduced on appeal after killing someone on the roads. If we are going to stop these drivers, they will need to face severe penalties."

The Crown Prosecution Service will also be informed when appeals are granted and contact interested parties.

In a letter to Dr Iddon, the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, said: "I hope Mr and Mrs Dean will take some comfort from this new procedures."