Anti-drink campaigner to become peer

Helen Newlove, who has campaigned for an end of Britain's binge-drinking culture after her husband was beaten to death by a gang of drunken teenagers, is to be made a Conservative peer.

Garry Newlove, a father of three children, was killed in Warrington, Cheshire, in 2007 after he confronted the gang for vandalising his car. Two of his attackers were under the legal drinking age.

Since her husband's murder, Mrs Newlove, 47, has campaigned against gang culture and lax behaviour by some pubs. This year, she helped launch the National Licensed Trade Association (NLTA), tasked with encouraging responsible drinking in British pubs. It will use campaigns, education and improved staff training to cut problem drinking in pubs. Mrs Newlove is continuing to bring more retailers on board. "We need to stop access to cheaper booze," she said at the launch.

Her selection by David Cameron signals a new attempt to relaunch Tony Blair's pledge to make the Lords more representatives by filling it with "people's peers". A spokesman for the Tories said a full list would be announced in "due course".