THE leader of a charity which helps runaway children in Bolton has told how a lack of cash has forced it to cut the services it offers.

Dave Bagley, chief executive of Bolton-based Urban Outreach, said the organisation was struggling to make ends meet.

Until two years ago, the charity ran a project called "Remember You are Not Alone", which saw case workers carry out vital work in schools and with runaway children and their families.

But Government funding was cut in 2004 and, since then, the organisation has only been able to offer a greatly reduced service.

Mr Bagley spoke of the importance of the charity's work in light of a scathing report on the way in which runaway children are dealt with by Bolton Council.

The town hall paper, compiled for a council meeting on children's services, said there was not a clear strategy in place to tackle the issue of runaways in Bolton.

Mr Bagley said: "Children who run away are at risk. They are isolated, homeless and on the streets and if are offered food, they could take it in return for drugs or sex.

"There are children who run away more than once who are putting themselves at increased risk. Early intervention is vital.

"Reports of children running away fell by more than 100 from 2004 to 2005.

"My aim is to make Bolton the safest town in the country for children. With more money we can hopefully do this and stop children from running away in the first place."

Last year there were 760 reports of youngsters going missing from home, although the figure could be much higher as it is anticipated that two-thirds of children who run away are not reported to the police.

Before the loss of funding, the "Remember You are Not Alone" project offered a comprehensive service, visiting schools, meeting with parents and the child, together with a free phone number.

Mr Bagley, who is currently looking for funding sources, said: "Running away is the earliest indicator that something is wrong and we want to tell young people that it is okay to talk about their problems."