One-third of Northern children living in poverty

Up to one-third of children and young people in the North are living in poverty, according to the Child Care NI group.

Pauline Leeson, the group's director, said the levels of disadvantage among children in the six counties is higher than anywhere else in Britain.

Ms Leeson was speaking at the launch of a €17m funding scheme for voluntary groups working with children.

More than 100 projects will share the money, which will be distributed by the Northern Executive's Children's Fund over the coming three years.