CHILDREN as young as six are self-harming in Welsh schools, a study said yesterday, leading to union calls for wellbeing officers to be introduced in classrooms.

Referrals to social services by schools have risen sixfold in three years in one local authority area alone, according to the BBC research.

Pembrokeshire Council said there were 48 incidents in its schools in 2016-17 — an increase from just eight in 2014-15 — with the youngest pupil aged six years old, a freedom of information request showed. All were referred to social services.