SOCIAL workers' record for visiting children on the at risk register in Lancashire is one of the worst in the country, Government figures have revealed.

But the head of the county council's social services department today insisted that statistics did not give a true reflection of the situation.

The Department of Health has demanded that all children on the Child Protection Register are visited every six weeks to make sure they are all right.

But last week the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed that in 2000/01 just 11 per cent of children on the county council list were being visited on a six week basis.

The figure prompted MPs to call for an urgent meeting to discuss the findings and children's charities warned that not visiting children could result in deaths.

The county council has previously been criticised for its role in the cases of three Burnley children killed by their parents.

Current national average for percentage of children on the register visited every six weeks is 65 per cent and Blackburn with Darwen social workers currently see 64 per cent of cases every six weeks.

Some 218 youngsters are on the county's register, with a sample of cases being used to draw up the figure, with the 2000/2001 figure down from 52 per cent.

Social services chiefs in the county claimed it was a problem being experienced across the country due to staff shortages.

But a Department for Health spokesman said: "Data is compiled by the Audit Commission.

"The England average is 65 per cent. In 1999/2000, Lancashire's percentage was 52.4 per cent, much lower than the average. The figures for 2000/2001 have yet to be released."

A report by the Social Services Inspectorate, due out this week, is expected to show how Lancashire is performing in comparison with other authorities.

County Councillor Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for social services at County Hall, said: "We admit things need to be improved but the figures aren't necessarily a true reflection of the situation.

"Failure to complete paperwork may have made the figures worse than they are.

"We are sure the SSI report will show we are doing well in comparison to other authorities."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said child protection was a priority area for them.

The Health Department spokesman said: "Clearly, Blackburn with Darwen is much nearer to the national average."