But children as young as nine in Preston claim it's not just mums and dads who are concerned about issues such as the credit crunch.

Last week an Ofsted report revealed that more children than ever before are worrying about their future and, in Lancashire, the figure has risen from 30% in 2007 to 43%.

As well as exams and bullying, a year five class of children at Sherwood Primary School, Fulwood, raised concerns including not getting a job and going bankrupt.

Thomas Keany, 10, from Fulwood, said: "I'm worried about money because of the credit crunch."

Jack Poole, nine, said: "People might be scared that they're not going to get any money when they grow up."

Nationally, out of the 150,000 10 to 15 year-olds questioned, 49% said they were worried about their future, compared with 30% last year.

Carey Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University, said: "Everybody thinks kids are immune, but if they see their parents worried it's going to affect them.

"You can't shield your kids from it. Parents should talk to them about it."

Another more positive key finding from the survey was that 76% of children questioned in Lancashire said their local area was a very good or fairly good place to live.

Out of the class of 20 at Sherwood, 85% said they thought their local area was very good or fairly good, 5% said very poor and 10% said they didn't know.

Favourite aspects included living near Fulwood Leisure Centre and a range of shops. Ibraaheem Zinga, 10, from Fulwood, said: "I like my street because it's dead quiet and there's no noise when I go to bed."

But, on the downside, not being able to play ball games, traffic and Preston North End supporters parking outside their houses on match days came out as things the children did not like.

A confidential sample of schools were selected in each local authority, representing different types of schools in each area and including a small number of special schools.

The five main topics were being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being.

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, said: "This survey was conducted to learn more about the concerns of children and young people and to share this information with local authorities, schools and policy makers."

To read more of the kids' concerns see Friday's Lancashire Evening Post.

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