HUNDREDS of children in the region - some as young as 11 - are thrown out of their homes every year, leaving them vulnerable to paedophiles, prostitution and drugs.

Research from the Children's Society shows that more than 500 children in the North-East and 150 in North Yorkshire are forced out of their homes because of violence, rejection or family breakdown every year.

Kim McMaster, acting regional social work manager for the Children's Society in the North-East, said children under 16 often had nowhere to go once they left, and were reluctant to turn to social services because of a fear of being taken into care.

The society is campaigning for local authorities and charities to provide safe places for runaways after it discovered that one in six were subject to physical and sexual abuse by relatives or strangers who offered them a place to stay.

More than half the children thrown out are girls.

Ms McMaster said homeless children were often preyed upon by paedophiles, who offered accommodation while "grooming" them for sex.

Others were forced to beg, steal or deal in drugs, or become involved in prostitution - in particular in the Teesside area - because they are wary of approaching social services, the police or other agencies, to seek help.

Ms McMaster said: "These children have nowhere to go if they are under 16, and many stay with friends or relatives until they have exhausted all their favours.

"Then they are more likely to use drugs or be abused by adults who appear to offer them friendship and a place to sleep."

County Durham social services is taking part in a Government pilot scheme to offer emergency accommodation to young runaways. If successful, the scheme looks likely to be rolled out across the region.

The Children's Society hopes to develop the service further to include a missing person's scheme and a family mediation service.