Granada NSPCC

A report into how police handled sex abuse claims in the 1980's is expected to reveal it's failed to find the missing documents that prompted the inquiry

The report centres on concerns the authorities did not act on information passed to them by the then Littleborough and Saddleworth MP Geoffrey Dickens about a possible paedophile ring in Westminster.

The Home Office had previously said the so-called Dickens dossier had been destroyed. A statement is expected from the Home Office at 9.30 this morning

Childre's charity the NSPCC is launching a £1m appeal to take their message into schools across the Greater Manchester.

ChildLine Founder, Esther Rantzen CBE, and John Amaechi, Psychologist, former NBA basketball star and NSPCC Ambassador, will kick off the appeal to support the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service.

The aim is to raise £1 million to enable the NSPCC to deliver special school assemblies across the area by 2016, and every two years thereafter, helping nine to 11 year olds to understand abuse, give them the confidence to report it and find help.

The charity says that their helpline staff have assisted 676 people in the North West who have contacted the NSPCC about emotional neglect and abuse this year.

498 of these cases were so serious they have been referred to local authorities for further action, compared to 348 last year, an increase of just over 43%.

Morris Robinson has spoken out to support the NSPCC and their campaign to encourage parents to speak to their children about the warning signs of abuse.

Lancashire police say they're pleased to be supporting this innovative campaign which aims to raise awareness about the importance of educating children about staying safe and speaking out.

Bernadette Oxley, NSPCC Regional Head of Services for North West and Cumbria says parents want advice on how to speak to their children about staying safe. She says post the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall cases children are asking questions and parents need to know handle them.

It's being supported by Lancashire police who say parents and carers should be aware and keep any eye out for warning signs such as changes in a child's behaviour.