Leading children's charity NCH has helped launch a new website which aims to help keep children safe on the internet.

The charity has teamed up with European Research Into Consumer Affairs (ERICA) to set up the website.

As well as common sense safety guidelines for parents and children the site also aims to help those who want to shop online.

NCH Internet Consultant John Carr said: "Children need to know that 'stranger danger' exists in cyberspace every bit as much as it does in the real world. However, it isn't always so easy to spot when you can't see who you are dealing with."

The website also makes parents aware of other potential pitfalls such as access to violent or pornographic sites or premium online telephone lines on which children have been known to run up huge bills.

Other co-funders of the initiative include the Children's Charities Coalition for Internet Safety who represent Barnardo's, ChildLine, the National Children's Bureau, NCH, the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations, the NSPCC and the Children's Society.