A NEW service offering telephone advice to children in Blackburn and Darwen has been launched.

Children who feel they have a problem in their lives which can not be resolved will be able to use the line, which is part of Blackburn with Darwen Council's development of a Children's Rights and Advocacy Service. The line will be open to children who are looked after by social services and follows principles set down in the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and will be permanently staffed.

Coun Sue Reid, chairman of the council's social services committee, said: "The free phone arrangement promises to be of great benefit to our looked-after youngsters and was developed as a result of consulting the young people themselves.

"We asked them what new service would be of most benefit to them and they suggested a free telephone line." She added that the service would be followed up by providing further information, as well as developing other avenues for consulting children and families about social services.

These included the use of the internet.

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