A HELPLINE has been launched to help children who run away from home.

Durham County Council has set up the service, funded by £188,000 from the Department of Education Skills, to keep runaways safe and show youngsters thinking of leaving home that it is not the only solution to their problems.

Steve Burney, of the council's social care and health service, said: "Children run away from home for all sorts of reasons and it's difficult to provide one service that will suit every young person. This helpline gives children and young people access to a variety of services across a range of agencies to help find solutions for them.

"Children can be assured that we don't automatically take them back to their parents.

"We find out what the problems are and how the various agencies can help before assisting the children to make the decision themselves."

The helpline, one of five similar schemes in the country, can be contacted on 0800 085 1596.