A COUNCIL children's services boss has joined the NSPCC in warning parents of the dangers of leaving the offspring home alone during summer holidays.

Last August 849 children were referred by the national charity's Helpline to social services or police due to worries about them being left unsupervised. A third were aged five and under.

NSPCC head of safeguarding, Chris Cloke, said: “It can be difficult for parents and carers to decide whether their child is ready to be left on their own and we know that the summer holidays can be a tricky time. No child should be left on their own if there is any risk they will come to harm.”

Cllr Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council's children's services boss, said: "No child under 12 should be left alone and no young person aged under 16 should be alone overnight.

"Even teenagers should have a responsible adult with them or contactable."