ETHNIC minority children in Bolton who are in need of help or at risk of harm will be able to call the NSPCC's new Asian Child Protection Helpline.

It is a free service where youngsters can talk in confidence in their first language including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali/Sylheti or English.

A fully trained and experienced child protection officer who understands their culture will be on hand to offer support and advice.

The service is being launched to coincide the charity's 10th anniversary of its 24 helpline and forms part of its Full Stop campaign to end cruelty to children.

It is also available to any professional who has concerns about the welfare of youngsters from the Asian community and who specifically needs information or advice on culturally related issues.

Stars from the world of film, music and television have joined forces to show their support, including Jemina Khan, actor Jimmi Harkishin, musician Jimmy Kalsi and TV personality Bina Mistry.

They have all donated their time to feature in a series of commercials which will be featured in the ethnic press and on Asian television channels.

Muhammad Haneef, NSPCC Asian child protection helpline manager, said: "The charity recognises that there are many families in need of support who would prefer to talk to an officer in one of the South Asian languages as English is not their first language.

"It is an exciting time for us -- a chance to put our ideas into practice and provide a service which meets the specific needs of the Asian community."

The helpline is open between 11am and 7pm Monday to Friday on the following numbers; Bengali/Sylheti 0800 096 7714, Gujarati 0800 096 7715, Hindi 0800 096 7716, Punjabi 0800 096 7717, Urdu 0800 096 7718 and English Asian service 0800 096 7719.