AS ever, local house prices are a hot topic, but there is rarely any mention of the flipside to the property boom.

Every day in Britain, more than one million children have to suffer in housing that doesn't have room for them to play or do homework, that is dangerous, or that makes them sick and it's happening near us.

With property prices rocketing and affordable housing in short supply, will the next generation of children have anywhere to call home?

In a recent survey carried out by Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, I read that more than 90 per cent of people believe that the answer is no.

I urge this paper and its readers to remember the children who are paying the real price of bad housing and take every opportunity to remind our politicians about this shocking situation.

NINA WHITFORD, Bushburn Drive, Blackburn.