Middlesbrough mayor complains that his town needs 'support' not labels after it is ranked England's 'hardest place to grow up'

Labour mayor Chris Cooke says children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza never engaged with him during her visit. He said journalists were in town before he had even seen 'The Childhood Lottery' report. Cooke said it 'just felt like wanting to create a headline' and was unfair on young people. He added that Middlesbrough needs 'more support', not more reports.

The report ranked areas on 162 measures, from child poverty to exclusions and air quality.

Dame Rachel declared childhood in England to be in 'a state of emergency'.

A youth worker in Middlesbrough called the ranking 'just another kicking' for the town.