ChildLine calls on parents' drug and alcohol abuse rise

The number of children calling ChildLine to confide about their parents' drinking and drug abuse has doubled in the past year.

Most of the children contacting the service were between the ages of 12 and 15, but a substantial minority were still at primary school.

Sue Minto from the charity urged children to "take that scary step" and seek help about the problem, which was manifesting itself in worrying ways.

She told BBC Radio 5 live's Breakfast: "Some children are turning to self harm and some are even having suicidal thoughts because of the impact of this."