A former social services manager is pressing the Government to create a new ministry for children.

Lancaster and Wyre MP Hilton Dawson is making the call in an early day motion to the House of Commons.

He wants the new department's to create children's rights commissioners, overhaul child protection, improve the care system and give children the same protection from assault as adults, says a report in Community Care magazine.

The ministry would also tackle bullying and guarantee young people good access to mental health services.