STRICT checks must be made on anyone wishing to work with children.

And Leigh MP Lawrence Cunliffe is backing the Child Protection Bill aimed at protecting children from physical and sexual abuse. Next week the Bill gets its second reading.

Mr Cunliffe said: "There are a variety of vetting methods in existence but I was shocked to discover how many loopholes there are. Loopholes which are fully exploited by people who physically and sexually abuse children.

"The Bill will for the first time create a national register which will make it a statutory duty for employers to consult part of their employment procedures and require them to refer abusers to lists.

"This is an important Bill which has the support or childcare organisations such as NSPCC, Children's Society and Schools Outreach which know how urgently we need to tighten up vetting procedures."

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