Last year 4988 children were counselled about emotional abuse - around 1000 boys and 4000 girls. Many children also reported other forms of abuse.

Nigel 14 called ChildLine to say: "My mum and dad hate having me around. The other day my mum said she didn't want me anymore. She packed my things into a suitcase. But I don't have anywhere else to go. I don't know why they hate me so much."

Leonie, 10, told ChildLine her Mum and Dad told her that she and her sister were not wanted. She said: "Mum says me and Carrie should never have been born. She says we ruined their lives and they never wanted us. It makes me feel really sad and most of the time I cry myself to sleep."

Edward, 8, was crying when he called ChildLine. He said: "My Mum says Santa's not coming this year cos' I've been too naughty, but I don't know what I've done." He went on to say that he hadn't had Christmas last year either, and had spent the whole day sitting in his room on his own.

Liam, 13, told ChildLine: "My mum makes me do all the cooking and the cleaning and then my dad just tells me how useless I am and how everything I do is rubbish. I try my best but they always say it's not good enough. They don't give me any pocket money and they won't buy me anything."

Julie, 14, told ChildLine: "My Mum shouts at me all the time - she says I'm a 'bitch' and a 'cow', and she says that she prefers my sister to me."

16-year-old Cari-Ann told ChildLine: "I fight with my Dad every day. He loves my brothers, but not me. I don't know why... it makes me feel so horrid inside. Sometimes I cut my arms to make it feel better. I feel like it might be better if I wasn't here anymore - no one wants me around anyway."

Sarah, 7 phoned ChildLine to say: "I get locked in the cupboard like the dog. I feel dead sad."