CHILDREN from East Lancashire are among the 2,500 youngsters who made pleas for help through the Childline hot-line last year.
The figures were released by the charity in its new report No Home and Alone which is being backed up by a poster campaign urging young runaways to get in touch.
ChildLine's 'Thinking of Running Away?' poster will be distributed to libraries, youth clubs, youth access information shops, police forces, Guides' and Scouts' organisations throughout the UK. ChildLine chairman Esther Rantzen said: "Every year our counsellors speak to thousands of children who are driven to this desperate last resort which may put them in great danger.
"Young people need to know that on the streets they are vulnerable targets -- perfect prey for exploitation and attack. We hope that these new posters will convince runaways that is it better and safer to seek help first from organisations like ChildLine."
The report reveals that nearly 90 per cent of children who call ChildLine about running away are under 16, and still the legal responsibility of their carers, while 10 per cent are under 11.
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