POVERTY is forcing children to go to school unwashed and wearing dirty clothing, a survey has revealed.

The Hygiene Bank charity is raising funds to establish laundrettes at schools in deprived areas with growing numbers of parents unable to afford to buy or maintain a washing machine or afford soap powder and other essentials such as toothpaste.

Its survey of 500 schools, backed by cleaning brand smol, found 72 per cent of schools reported more pupils suffering “hygiene poverty” where families have to choose between heating, eating or keeping clean.