A CHILDREN'S charity has launched an urgent appeal for funds in response to a "massive surge" in child sexual exploitation cases.

Barnardo's has revealed it worked with 178 sexually exploited children last year - more than triple the number four years ago.

The charity is looking to raise £370,000 to help victims across the country, including dozens in this region.

Barnardo's supports both girls and boys, with some victims as young as 11-years-old.

The average age for young women who are sexually exploited and being abused in Middlesbrough is between 12 and 13-years-old, the charity said.

Barnardo’s says it has rapidly expanded the number of its specialist child sexual exploitation services as more children are referred to the charity for support and now has bases in Middlesbrough, Darlington, Stockton, Newton Aycliffe and Redcar.

Barnardo's said it was in urgent need of extra funds to help appoint more support workers to deal with the children.

The charity's chief executive Javed Khan said: “The scale of this abuse is shocking – with more and more incidences of child sexual exploitation coming to light.

“Our experts see how this abuse inflicts devastating damage to vulnerable children. They work tirelessly to help these children pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

“Every day, more sexually exploited children are referred to us. Without further funds we simply won’t be able to reach all those who need our help."

Experts say sexual exploitation is becoming more organised in the North-East, with abusers being more sophisticated and victims being trafficked across the UK.

The majority of young victims are involved in drug misuse, with around half regularly missing from home and a similar number engaged in self-harming behaviour such as self-mutilation, overdosing, eating disorders and crime.

To find out more about the appeal and donate go to barnardos.org.uk/emma