AN MP is backing housing charity Shelter after new figures revealed that more than 4,000 children in the region were suffering in bad housing.

Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, east Cleveland, is calling on local people to join in the Shelter campaign to end the devastating impact of the housing crisis on one million children in Britain.

The campaign report revealed that more than a million children, who are growing up in overcrowded, unfit or emergency housing, are suffering from serious health problems, poor education and have their future blighted.

Ms Baird said: "Gordon Brown is hitting his target of getting one quarter of poor children out of poverty by this year, but poor housing is as bad a problem and I will do all I can to support Shelter in this campaign

"The organisation is doing important work in highlighting the problems of the families who still live in sub-standard accommodation.

"I urge the residents of Redcar and Cleveland to join in the Shelter Campaign."

For more details and to sign up to join the campaign visit www.shelter.org.uk