A children’s charity has revealed more than 140 referrals were made to authorities over child neglect concerns in North Wales in 2018.

According to NSPCC Wales Appeal Board Chairman Alan Peterson, there were 32 referrals in Gwynedd, 22 in Conwy and 15 in Denbighshire.

Mr Peterson also revealed the organisation is contacted on average 55 times a day by adults from across the UK worried about neglect.

The charity’s helpline hears from concerned adults with reports ranging from children being left unsupervised or with inadequate clothing, to being screamed at or living amongst mouldy food and animal faeces.

Many of these concerns were so serious that they were referred to agencies including local authorities and the police.

Mr Peterson said: “It’s our sad experience that when our teams visit a school to talk to pupils about the vital work we do, we find that on average two children in every classroom have suffered abuse or neglect.

“Our role has never been more crucial. We advise and reassure frightened young people, offering a way out of what can seem to them to be a downward spiralling, inescapable situation.”

Shocking statistics show 2,874 sexual offences against children aged under 16 were recorded by police in Wales last year.

Nearly 6,000 children are in care and 2,690 are on the child protection register.

NSPCC Wales experts visit schools regularly to educate and communicate with children about the charity’s work and reach out to those who may not otherwise know where to turn.

In the last 12 months, via its Speak Out and Stay Safe campaign, volunteers and staff visited 485 schools in Wales and delivered important information about NSPCC services to 72,284 children.

The eventual aim is to visit all Welsh schools.

The charity wants to raise at least £1m over each of three years to fund key areas of its work including the Speak Out and Stay Safe campaign.

Mr Peterson added: “Our service centres in Swansea, Cardiff and Prestatyn, are fantastic. We simply cannot put them in jeopardy. That’s why I set this fundraising target, to ensure the work they undertake continues for future generations.