THE parents of Melissa Strickson are continuing to campaign in her memory by lobbying the government to install a Minister for Children.

Sue and Vic, of Tythebarn Street, Darwen, said they believed the post would help protect vulnerable youngsters and possibly prevent other families losing a child.

Melissa, 13, died last October after running away from home for the 27th time in a year. She had taken a fatal drugs overdose at the home of a self-confessed white witch.

Sue said: "I know I can't bring Melissa back, but I do hope that I can help to change the policies or law to prevent another child's needless death, and in that way it would bring a little comfort to me in the fact that Melissa didn't die in vain."

The Area Child Protection Committee, made up of social services, child service providers, police and health and education organisations, contradicted Sue's opinion when it published a report into the tragedy last month. It found that Melissa's death was not predictable or preventable and said it was impressed by the support the family received from a variety of sources. However, "satisfactory" communication could have been improved and a new protocol is currently being drawn up.

Vic and Sue labelled the document a "whitewash" and have sent a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair and Darwen MP Janet Anderson outlining why they believe a government Minister for Children would help these agencies.

Sue said: "The separate agencies and their aims and policies look good and sound good in theory, but in practice do not work.

"Children need to be reassured that they are loved and are important. When the family does seek help, the last thing the child and the parents need is too many strangers from too many departments saying what they are and what they are not going to do.

"Children are tomorrow's future and, sadly, the system is letting them down. A secretary of state could introduce a national wide range of procedures and guidelines to be directly accountable to parliament and parliamentary committees."

Sally Corkhill, 41, of Sudell Road, Darwen, was jailed for two years after admitting four abduction charges and two of administering a controlled drug. She was cleared of Melissa's manslaughter.

Her lover, Lee Harrison, 31, also of Sudell Road, received nine months on four abduction charges.