THOUSANDS of families in North Yorkshire are struggling to meet the basic costs of their children's schooling, a report has claimed.

Families across Yorkshire and Humber pay £446 million a year, an average of £647 per child each year for school clothing, sports kits, school meals, trips, books, materials for classes, stationery, computers for homework, travel to and from school and summer clubs or activities.

The report by the Children’s Commission on Poverty claimed that 10,308 families in York struggled to keep up with the costs, which could lead to children facing bullying and embarrassment.