THE Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s new youth ambassador will be working with young people affected by child poverty.

This news comes as the report from the End Child Poverty campaign revealed some stark figures for Cheshire’s young people.

On average throughout the UK, one in five (20.2%) children are classified as below the poverty line.

In Cheshire overall the picture is not as severe as in other areas, however there are 13 wards where more than one in every three children lives in poverty.

Commissioner John Dwyer said: “Cheshire is a diverse county renowned for its more affluent areas, but I will ensure that the youth ambassador, that I intend to appoint by summer, will be identifying and working closely with these young people and I will ensure that there continues to be a focus on vulnerable young people by the constabulary.

“I am currently seeking the views of the public about the role of the youth ambassador and a short survey is available on my website should people wish to comment.”

The report reveals that child poverty damages children’s experiences of childhood and harms their future life chances.

Well over half of parents in poverty (61%) say they have cut back on food and over a quarter (26%) say they have skipped meals in the past year.