Scores of Medway children were admitted to hospital in a year after self-harming – but thousands more could be going under the radar.

More than 140 under-18s were treated at Medway Maritime Hospital in the year to April having deliberately hurt themselves.

But experts fear even more young people in the Towns self harm without seeking medical help – potentially at least 4,400 every year.

Injuries can include cuts, burns and broken bones, although some youngsters harm themselves by drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Figures obtained by the Messenger show more children were admitted to Medway Maritime after self-harming in the year to April than anywhere else in Kent.

The Gillingham hospital recorded 142 cases – down from 177 in the previous 12 months – compared to 90 at the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, and 13 at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury.

In total, 542 under-18s were treated in Kent hospitals for self harm injuries in 2010/11.

Lucie Russell, from children’s mental health charity YoungMinds, said: "Sadly I’m not surprised at these figures, but they are very worrying.

"We know lots of young people resort to self harm as a way of dealing with very difficult emotions, feelings and experiences. Sometimes people self harm because of things that are going on in their lives, such as sexual abuse or physical abuse, and it’s a symptom that you’re experiencing emotional turmoil.

"Although it can be difficult for others to understand, self harm is a coping mechanism for some children, who say it makes them feel better.

"But it’s actually an extremely destructive and negative way of dealing with emotional problems and it’s something they must seek help about because it’s abusive and it’s dangerous."

She warned the "unprecedented pressure" to achieve at school or find a job, as well as the violence seen on the streets of London this week, is having a detrimental effect on young people’s well-being.

The Mental Health Foundation estimates that between one in 12 and one in 15 young people self harm, but only a fraction of this number go to hospital.