One in eight children in Medway are living in severe poverty, according to a leading charity.

A report by Save the Children has revealed there are 6,000 under-16s in the Towns growing up in households with very low incomes.

The charity says these youngsters have to go without things many of us take for granted, such as proper meals, school uniforms, separate bedrooms for older children and school trips.

It says parents are living on such tight budgets they do not have enough money to pay for living expenses such as household contents insurance, repairing a broken washing machine or celebrating their child's birthday.

With increasing unemployment and cuts in welfare payments, Save the Children fears even more children will be forced into severe poverty in the coming months.

Sally Copley, the charity's head of UK policy, said: "Children up and down the country are going to sleep at night in homes with no heating, without eating a proper meal and without proper school uniforms to put on in the morning.

"No child should be born without a chance. It is a national scandal that 1.6 million children are growing up in severe poverty."

Medway Council said it is working with other organisations to help children in need.

Director of children's services Rose Collinson said: "Tackling child and family poverty together is a key priority in our Children and Young People plan.

"We are working across the partnership to target our resources where they will make the most sustainable difference to children and families.

"We know good schools and great teachers make a vital contribution and that 'joined-up' services to ensure good support for parents, especially access to good housing and employment opportunities, are easily available."

Save the Children is calling on the government to announce an emergency plan in the next budget to channel new jobs into the poorest areas, as well increase financial support for low-income families.