A father whose toddler son was killed by a gunman with an illegal weapon said he was "honoured" to receive a letter of thanks from the UK Government for his campaigning efforts.

David Grimason, whose two-year-old son Alistair died in July 2003, has since pressed for tighter controls on the trade of weapons.

An international Arms Trade Treaty was approved by the United Nations last month and opens for signature in New York on June 3.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore presented Mr Grimason with the letter of thanks yesterday, during an event in Edinburgh to celebrate the successful negotiation of the treaty.

Speaking after the event, Mr Grimason, 41, reflected on the importance of the treaty.

He said: "I'm proud to have been involved with such an important task, the creation of an Arms Trade Treaty. It's something that's going to improve lives throughout the world and save lives at the same time. I'm really grateful to the Secretary of State to take the time to spend time with me and to thank me. I'm honoured."

Alistair, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was killed during a gunfight at a cafe in the seaside village of Foca, Turkey. He was asleep in his pram when an argument broke out at a nearby table and a man opened fire, killing him.

Mr Grimason, who now lives in Aberdeen, has worked with Oxfam, the Control Arms coalition and Amnesty to help bring about global change.

He said it was important to talk about his personal tragedy: "When people hear about the loss of a child, it has a lot of impact," he said.