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Thousands of children and young people have been in contact with mental health services in the Vale of York over the last year, new figures show.

Children's mental health charity YoungMinds said the figures are "harrowing", especially as students receive grades for A-level and GCSE exams.

The charity said increasing pressure at school and the impact of lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic has affected young people's mental health, leading to a huge number of children needing support across England.

NHS Digital figures show 4,855 children and young people had at least one contact with mental health services in the NHS Vale of York CCG area, which covers Pocklington, in the 12 months to May.

PICTURE POSED BY MODEL of a teenage girl with her head in her hands showing signs of mental health issues.

This was up from 4,755 in April and the most since local figures were first recorded in July 2021.

Across England, the number of children who had at least one contact with mental health services in the last year rose by 21% from 570,000 in the year to March 2021 – when national records began – to 690,000 in the year to May.

YoungMinds said the figures paint a "shocking picture" of the mental health of young people in the country.

Thousands of children in contact with mental health services in the Vale of York