Children as young as six are sleeping on the streets in the North East after fleeing violent homes, according to the Children's Society.

Research by the charity has revealed that 10 children a day run away from home in the North East after being sexually or physically abused by their parents, carers or someone close to the family.

To accompany this, last year Childline recieved 1,174 calls about sexually abuse from North-East children - 58 per cent of who said the abuser was in the family.

But the StreetSmart North East campaign hopes to put a stop to this with charities and support workers urging people to did deep to raise money for the region's homeless and vulnerable.

Childline's Yorkshire and North East director Norman Titus, said: "For most children home is the palce where they feel safe, no matter what is happening outside.

"When that is disturbed - through abuse, domestic violence or other family problems - where else can a child turn to for help."

A spokeswoman for the regional branch of the Children's Society added: "The research shows the most significant factor in running away is the quality of the relationship with the parents."

Launched five years ago, the focus of this year's StreetSmart campaign is homeless women and children.

The idea is that throughout November and December £1 is added to the customer's bill at every participating restaurant, so far 12 have signed up and the campaign has the backing of the Newcastle Journal.

The official launch is on November 1, by which time organiser hope many more will have agreed to take part as well.

Last year the charity raised £260,000 and organisers are hoping to do substantially better now that Leeds and Manchester are also involved.

For more information on StreetSmart check out their website at: StreetSmart

(Parts of this article appear courtesy of the Newcastle Journal)