REPORTED incidences of self harm in the town are higher than the regional and national average, the latest figures from Public Health England reveal.

The number of young people in Warrington, aged between 10 and 24, who were admitted to hospital due to self harm between 2010 to 2013, is almost 65 per cent higher than the rest of England and 30 per cent higher than the north west.

The news comes in the wake of national reports which reveal that self-harm hospital admissions among children are at five-year high.

Experts have urged parents not to ignore any suspicions regarding self harm as the important thing is to get help.

The associate medical director at Warrington's 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Dr Sandeep Ranote said: "It will feel very scary. It might feel like if we don't look at it it will go away.

"As a parent it will be concerning and worrying but don't suffer in silence. You are not alone.

"Help is out there and often the first step and the hardest step is to go and talk to somebody about it.

"Self harm is not an illness or a condition. Self harm is a behaviour but it's a behaviour that we take very seriously."

She says it is understandable that parents are concerned about discussing the issue but said it was vital to ensure those who self harm gain access to the support they need.

When questioned on the main cause of this type of behaviour, she described the catalyst as a 'complex matter' which can be triggered by a range of factors.

But added, although there is no robust evidence to support this, the social media boom could be a contributing issue and she is now campaigning to 'make the digital playground safer'.

She said: "I remember going to the park around 30 years ago and we did not have locks on the parks or the special sponge surface with the slides and swings.

"What you had was quite dangerous equipment and people would fall off and hurt themselves.

"But what has been learnt is how to make the playground safer - in the same way we have to make the digital playground safer."

Dr Ranote believes this can be done by using the tool to publicise more positive messages of awareness.

There are a number of ways to access help and advice if you have concerns about self harm from contacting your GP or by visiting the website of Young Minds youngminds.org.uk.

No Secrets - a self injury support group which was originally launched by Kerri Jones and her mum Maureen Baines from Warrington and is currently being delivered in Wigan, Halton and St Helens - has announced the group will be restarting later this year.

For more information visit no-secrets.org.uk.