ICONIC buildings across the region have gone green as part of this year’s NSPCC festive campaign.

The Light For Every Childhood campaign features landmarks across the UK illuminating green over December to raise awareness for the thousands of children facing a lonely or frightening Christmas.

Over the festive period, thousands of children will contact Childline for help, but one in three calls will go unanswered.

The children's charity encourages the public to support its work and boost funds with its Christmas campaigns– Get Your Sparkle On which invites people to wear sparkling clothing or organise sparkle-themed events and Light for Every Childhood.

Landmarks turned green in the North-East include Penshaw Monument, Sunderland's Northern Spire Bridge, Fulwell Mill and Beacon of Light and the famous Tyne Bridge and Newcastle civic buildings.

Jill Colbert, chief executive of Together for Children in Sunderland, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the NSPCC’s Light for Every Childhood campaign by lighting up Sunderland landmarks and features to help raise awareness of this very worthwhile cause.”

Katy Carmen, fundraising manager for the North East, said it was brilliant that Sunderland and Newcastle shone so brightly for Childline and acted as beacons for the charity's fantastic fundraisers.

To find out more search #SparkleOn on social media or visit nspcc.org.uk