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Helen Newlove, whose husband Garry was beaten to death, has taken her seat in the House of Lords.

While taking the oath she was flanked by her two supporters, the cabinet ministers Lord Strathclyde and minister without portfolio Baroness Warsi.

Mr Newlove was murdered outside his family's Warrington home in August 2007, after confronting teenagers over vandalism to his wife's car.

Since his death, Mrs Newlove, 48, has become a champion of victims' rights.

Wearing the traditional ermine she was was introduced to the Upper House in a short ceremony, with her full title, Baroness Newlove of Warrington in the county of Cheshire.

After swearing her allegiance to the Queen she received a loud cheer from peers as she shook the hand of Lord Speaker Baroness Hayman on her way out of the chamber.

Lady Newlove has campaigned against drink-related violence since her husband was killed by a gang of teenagers.

Three teenagers were jailed for life for his murder.

"After Garry's death I had to get on with things, for the sake of the family," she said.

"You can either sit back and do nothing or you can act, and I chose the latter.

"We have to stop the gangs, the violence - often caused by drink - destroying our streets."

Lady Newlove is the chairwoman of the National Licensed Trade Association, which she launched this year with the aim of using campaigns, education and training for landlords and bar staff to help stop binge drinking.

She said she wanted to help families affected "who can't speak out", and to seek a greater focus for victims in the court process.

"I'll be looking at all the aspects that contribute to broken Britain," she added.

"I am eager to knuckle down and turn words into action."