A MAN spared from death with the help of former Nelson solicitor Sajjad Karim has backed the MEP's fight to abolish the death penalty.

Mirza Tahir Hussain has signed Mr Karim's petition demanding a worldwide ban on death penalties.

Hussain was on death row for 18 years in Pakistan after he was convicted of shooting taxi driver Jamshed Khan in 1988.

Mr Karim was instrumental in getting Hussain's death sentence lifted.

He also helped persuade the Pakistani authorities to let the 36-year-old return to his home in Leeds.

Mr Karim's petition calls on the UK Government to support a proposal for a worldwide moratorium tabled to the UN General Assembly which has been tabled by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Mr Karim is calling on people in the North West to support the petition by signing up online.

To sign the online petition visit www.petitiononline.com/shk00107/petition.html