Watson supports NSPCC's e-campaign

The NSPCC is pushing for a children's commissioner

Actress Emily Watson is launching an internet campaign urging politicians to put children at the top of the political agenda.

The NSPCC project is aimed at getting politicians to focus on child issues ahead of the forthcoming general election.

The double Oscar-nominated star of Hilary and Jackie and Angela's Ashes is supporting the Full Stop e-campaign by helping promote the issues.

The charity is calling on the public to write to their MPs and local newspapers, encouraging them to highlight child cruelty in Britain.

Commissioner

Watson will kick off proceedings on 7 May by e-mailing the heads of all the major political parties.

The NSPCC is pushing for a children's commissioner to be appointed for the UK - similar to the post which already exists in Wales - independent of the government but with real powers.

The National Assembly for Wales appointed its first children's commissioner in November last year while the Northern Ireland assembly is also debating the creation of a similar post.

The charity wants the UK commissioner to be responsible for helping children in desperate circumstances.

Watson said: "We need someone to champion children's interests after the election posters have been taken down.

"We want to make sure that their representatives in parliament can look children in the eye."