HUNDREDS of parents across the North-East are missing out on a "baby bonus" tax break worth hundreds of pounds - and time is running out to claim it.

Working parents of babies born since April 6 last year are entitled to a £520 tax credit. This is on top of the £529 available under the Child Tax Credit scheme.

But all claims must be in before the end of this tax year, which finishes in April.

Alison Gargett, manager of the Childcare Information Service (CIS) for Durham, said: "We have come across a number of new parents who are not aware about the bonus available for this tax year."

For further details or an application form, contact the helpline on 0845 3001036, or the CIS on 0845 6024469.