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Refugee charities have voiced concern over the government's plans to disperse unaccompanied asylum seeking children outside London and the South East.

The Home Office has admitted it is looking at ways of easing the pressure on councils in the South East, which deal with the majority of unaccompanied children. It is understood that any scheme to disperse children will operate on a voluntary basis.

Terry Smith, head of the children's section at the Refugee Council, said that while it recognised the pressure councils face, it was concerned about dispersing them. "Policy should be driven by what is in the best interests of the child and that can only be done following a full assessment of their individual needs."