The lives of 10 young people may have been saved through a screening programme set up to tackle the rise in the number of sudden deaths.

Almost 2,500 people have been screened at the University of Ulster service since it was implemented by heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in November 2006. 

Previously undetected heart problems were found in 10 young people, who have since been referred to cardiologists for specialist medical care. 

John Carruthers, who runs the clinic, said lives had been saved in the last two years. 

"These conditions were ones that have to be treated and would have proven fatal if they were left untreated," Mr Carruthers said. 

He was speaking yesterday at the launch of a postcard campaign to promote cardiac screenings a way to prevent sudden deaths among young people. 

Twelve young people under the age of 35 who died from undetected cardiac problems have been pictured on the postcard to represent the numbers who die in Northern Ireland and Britain from the condition every week. 

Among those pictured are Tyrone footballer Cormac McAnallen and Armagh rugby player John McCall, whose deaths in 2004 brought the condition to public attention. 

The death of a young person has a catastrophic effect on their family and all who loved them, particularly if there is the possibility that the death was avoidable and caused by a condition that could have been detected, "Alison Cox, chief executive of CRY said. 

"We know that screening saves lives. 

"CRY is committed to raising awareness of the value of cardiac screening - particularly for young people involved in sport at grassroots level." 

Junior ministers Gerry Kelly and Jeffery Donaldson pledged their support to the campaign at the launch. 

Mr Donaldson told bereaved families that he planned to set up an all-party group in Stormont to tackle the issue. 

He said that while screening had not been implemented in the north, it remained a 'key option' in consideration. 

"No words of mine will adequately address the pain of losing a child but if we can do something to ensure other parents are saved from the pain, all of use will have achieved something," the minister said.