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Children's charities and social care professionals have welcomed the appointment of Northern Ireland's first commissioner for children, Nigel Williams.

Williams is currently chief executive of Childnet International, which specialises in protecting children from internet paedophiles. He is also a member of the government's task force tackling internet pornography.

Teresa Devlin, acting director of NSPCC Northern Ireland, said: "The children's commissioner will play a crucial role in a range of ways in the lives of children in Northern Ireland. We hope he will assist government in promoting a much more inclusive and rights-based approach ensuring that all children have someone to turn to."

The commissioner's office will be set up over the next nine months and Williams will begin his four-year term on 1 October.