More than 27,000 children in Norfolk are living in poverty, placing them at increased risk of poor health, low attainment at school and use of drink or drugs, experts have warned.

A new assessment of the scale of child poverty in the county has laid bare how a difficult start can set Norfolk people back for the rest of their lives.

It can leave youngsters more at risk of being involved in domestic abuse, of becoming obese due to poor diet and even of being killed, disabled or seriously injured in an accident, the report claims. Norfolk's Child Poverty Needs Assessment, put together by Norfolk County Council, showed more than a quarter of children in Norwich are living in low-income families.

Families struggle to meet basic needs like food, heating, transport, clothing, school equipment and trips.

Tim Eyres, head of early help in North Norfolk and Broadland at County Hall, said: 'There is clear evidence that children growing up in poverty do less well than their peers, for example in how well they achieve at school, what they go on to do when they leave, or how healthy they are.'

The report makes a string of recommendations for how the council and other organisations can work to tackle the problems.

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