Heage youngster Finlay Martin died on July 19 after being hit by a faulty runaway trailer as he walked from his home in Old Road to the village primary school with his mother to pick up his older sister Millie.

On the first anniversary of his death his parents Zoe and Wayne Martin have urged people to sign a online petition started by Cllr Juliette Blake.

Even though it is thought a change in the law could be being considered the Heage and Ambergate councillor says that everyone needs to keep pushing. "I still feel we have to bombard the government with everything before they do something," she explained.

Finlay's mother, who was herself severely injured in the incident, is also considering appearing on a TV documentary about the horrific accident in the hope that it may help get the law changed.

She said this week: "I like to do as much as I can for Finlay. I'm trying my hardest to be strong and get things done. Some days I find it difficult and other days I feel really positive and want to get things done."

On Saturday, exactly a year after Finlay's death, Zoe, Wayne and his sister Millie went to Heage Primary School to present the Finlay Martin Memorial Cup, as part of a 'footie for kids' tournament.
The audience clapped for 30 seconds in memory of Finlay as they handed over the prize.

Zoe said: "It's a really nice idea. Finlay was a Nottingham Forest fan like his dad. He loved his kit."

After the accident, which left Zoe needing a metal bar in her leg and unable to return to work as a hairdresser, the family moved to Newark to live with Wayne's father because staying in their home without Finlay was so difficult at first.

They eventually moved back to Heage in October after receiving overwhelming support from the community.

Wayne said: "It was like facing the music and what had gone off made it easier with the support we had. The decision was made for us when we realised how much support we had."

The driver of the car towing the trailer, David Robins, of Belper, pleaded guilty in February to using a motor vehicle when the secondary coupling device on the trailer was not fitted and to using a motor vehicle - namely the trailer, with defective brakes.

He was fined £500 and given three penalty points on his licence. He was also ordered to pay £45 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Owner of the trailer Michael Buckley was also given a £500 fine, three points on his licence and the additional fees after pleading guilty to permitting the use of such a vehicle.

To sign the petition which runs until August 13 log onto http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Trailers/