Two Halesowen teenagers who died from hidden heart conditions will feature in a postcard campaign to prevent future tragedies.

The faces of Andrew Ball and Paul Davies are among the faces which appear on a postcard highlighting a rise in sudden cardiac deaths. 

New figures show 12 young people a week die from the condition - a 50 per cent rise on previous estimates. 

The families of both Andrew and Paul are backing the campaign, which has been organised by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

Paul's mum Benita said the postcards would help emphasise the importance of electrocardiogram screening in detecting conditions which might otherwise go undiagnosed. 

Benita said: "We experienced first hand the effect of sudden cardiac death and don't want anyone else to suffer like we did. 

"At the moment kids get a medical at school but this does not go far enough." 

Former Cradley High pupil Paul, described as "fit and active" by his mum, died after collapsing while riding his bicycle on January 19 1999 aged 16. 

Andrew collapsed while playing in a football match in 1980 and was pronounced dead within minutes of being rushed to hospital.  He was also just 16 years-old. 

Benita added: "Things have certainly improved since Paul died but there is still plenty more work to be done.

"Too many people still don't understand the importance of screening - particularly if there is a history of heart disease in the family." 

Statistics show people in the Midlands are still least likely to be aware of ECG screening. 

Alison Cox, MBE, chief executive and founder of CRY, said hundreds of postcards will be distributed across the Midlands - with people urged to send it back to their MP. 

Alison said: "These 12 faces are just a "snap-shot" of the problem and we need to keep up the pressure and engage support from as many MPs as possible to make sure we can prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies."