A NEW system to to ensure young children are properly protected from abuse has been launched in Blackburn and Darwen.

They are intended to bring a range of different organisations together to ensure the safety of youngsters.

The new procedures follow guidelines from the government to make sure the many different agencies involved in protecting children from abuse work together.

Members of the police, probation and health services, the NSPCC and social services joined the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Jack Bury, for the launch.

Stephen Sloss, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) said each part of the country has an ACPC, consisting of representatives from the various local agencies involved in child protection.

He said: "We have to introduce procedures so when children are at risk everyone knows what their role is in protecting them."