Worrying figures have highlighted the number of Walsall children suffering from child poverty, infant mortality, deaths on roads and teenage pregnancies are higher than the national average.

The data emerged in the Walsall Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) annual report for 2017/18, presented to the Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday night (December 11).

Although the issues raised are not directly part of WSCB's remit, chair Liz Murphy said they demonstrated the backdrop against which they are working in.

Latest figures showed there were 16,145 children under 16 living in low income families, representing 29.2 per cent of youngsters in the borough.

This was above the national average of 20.6 per cent and the West Midlands one of 23.8 per cent, placing the authority as the 26 worst performing in the country.

The report also stated that infant mortality is consistently higher than regional and national levels with high levels of deprivation listed as a key factor.

More children are killed or seriously injured on town roads at 28 per 100,000 compared with 17 per 100,000 nationally.

Under 18 conceptions are 50 per cent higher than the national average with 31.5 for every 1,000 pregnancies as opposed to 20.8 for England. The rate of teenage mothers in Walsall is at 1.6 per cent - double the national rate.

Children and young people under the age of 20 make up 26 per cent of Walsall residents while the overall population of the borough is expected to rise by 5.1 per cent from 270,900 in 2012 to 284,700 in 2022.

Committee chairman Aftab Nawaz said: "While these issues do not fall under the remit of the safeguarding board, we need to ensure committees that are responsible are taking the necessary action to tackle them."