Childline got more than 1,000 calls from 'anxious and isolated' children over Christmas period

The ISPCC said of the children contacting them: "Tensions may have come to the surface in their homes, they may have struggled with challenges to their mental and emotional health, or there may have been an empty place at their table due to bereavement."

Childline received more than 1,000 contacts across the three-day Christmas period as pressures including family conflict, mental health issues and self-harm were raised by young people.

The 24-hour charity helpline fielded the calls and contacts across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day thanks to its team of more than 100 volunteers working in different centres around the country.