THE number of children physically abused in the North West is higher than anywhere else in the country, a shock survey reveals.

ChildLine North West says it receives a higher percentage of calls from young attack victims than anywhere else.

Charity bosses are alarmed at the figures but say they don't know why the region is worse than any other part of the country.

Last year, 1,200 youngsters told ChildLine North West they had been subjected to various forms of physical abuse including being beaten with belts and sticks as well as being kicked and burnt.

ChildLine North West director William Kidd said: "We can't be sure why children from the North West are more likely than others to tell us they have been physically abused. "We do know that for many children physical abuse starts with a family crisis such as bereavement, divorce, unemployment or loss of the family home.

"In many cases, physical abuse often takes place when a parent or carer is drunk."

He added: "Children in the North West call about scores of other things, including crises in family relationships, being bullied and their anxieties about exams, underage and unwanted pregnancies and drug and alcohol abuse."

The North West branch today celebrates its fifth birthday with the launch of a £500,000 fund raising appeal by Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson who plays Jim Macdonald.

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