A health campaign by a dad whose football-playing son had a heart scare on the pitch has been backed by hospital bosses and a national charity. 

Kevin Nightingale, of Millfield Gardens, Crowland, wants to ensure every city sport-playing youngster has access to heart scans after his son Jonny (13) was detected with the rare Wolff Parkinson White syndrome last month.

The life-threatening condition was only detected by chance when the youngster needed treatment by ambulance medics after a heavy tackle. 

He is now being regularly treated for the condition. 

Mr Nightingale said: "Every parent should be aware of any dangers, and I am sure they would want to ensure their children's health is as good as possible. 

"There should be more awareness and more screening for children. 

"We want to try to get any child who plays sport the chance to get screened before it is too late. 

"We are looking into fundraising ideas to bring screening days to the city where kids can be examined." 

His idea has been endorsed by Peterborough's leading heart consultant and a director from national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

CRY have travelling road shows where people between 14 and 35 can be tested, and have said they would like to come to Peterborough. 

Dr Steven Cox, director of screening at CRY, said: "We would love to take our ECG scanners to Peterborough, but it does take about six months of planning. 

"It costs £35 per screening, and if Peterborough could raise £3,500 we could come and test 100 children. 

"One in 100 will have minor abnormalities that early detection can help avoid further complications, while one in 300 will have serious problems." 

Dai Rowlands, consultant cardiologist for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It is a real tragedy that there are young people who die suddenly who have never had an ECG. 

"Had they been monitored it may have detected a problem that could have been treated. 

"I believe there is a real clinical need for this type of screening in the younger age groups. 

"We wholeheartedly support Mr Nightingale's efforts and we will look at how we could implement this type of screening in the future."