MORE than 100 children are thrown out of their homes in Wiltshire every year, according to a shocking new report.

The report, published by The Children's Society also states that of these children one in five will be physically or sexually abused while they are away from home.

Children's Society chief executive Bob Reitemeier said: "These are society's disposable children thrown away or fleeing family violence."

Children under 16 have almost no direct access to emergency accommodation and are usually not reported missing as their parents don't want them back home.

The society is challenging local authorities across the country to make sure they have measures in place to ensure that these children have somewhere safe to go.

The Children's Society is calling for all local councils to put into place guidance on young runaways, to provide safe emergency accommodation and to provide family mediation.

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council said: "We work to protect and help ensure the welfare and safety of local children.

"The county council is in the process of rewriting its operational procedures for children's services and this will include children who have run away from home."