Caroline Lucas,  Ben Duncan and Ian Davey have pledged to support the NSPCC's ‘I Stand For Children' campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Parliament.

Caroline Lucas, who is tipped by pollsters to become the UK's first Green MP in Brighton, said:

"I'm very pleased to sign up to the NSPCC's campaign, which puts forward a number of vital recommendations, such as tackling domestic violence from a child's point of view, continuing to fund helpline services and ensuring that child protection reforms take place.

"In over 50 per cent of known domestic violence cases, children are also directly abused, and in 90 per cent of incidents children are in the same or the next room. Children clearly need our support.

"If elected, I will work hard to bring about positive change."

Ben Duncan, who sits on the Sussex Police Authority, said:

"Protecting children is one of the most pressing needs our society faces.

"I am a member of the ROCK campaign, which seeks to implement the International Convention on the Right of the Child into UK law - to really make children's rights into a reality. I'm delighted to have signed up to the NSPCC campaign."

Ian Davey, Green candidate for Hove, added:

"Brighton and Hove is a vibrant city which is home to tens of thousands of children, and their safety must come first and foremost. The Green Party is committed to enabling a healthy, happy society for all - and that includes children"

The NSPCC's campaign is calling on candidates to commit to a range of child protection measures including:

Making the internet safer for children

Continued funding of helpline services for children and for adults concerned about the safety or welfare of a child

Tackling domestic violence from a child's point of view

Ensuring that vital child protection reforms are fully implemented and resourced, following the death of Baby Peter and other child deaths since

Provision of resources for vital therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse

Strengthening the role of the children's commissioner in England to act as a genuinely independent voice for children.

The charity's Diana Sutton, head of the public affairs and campaigns unit at the NSPCC, said:

"We need to make sure that the next elected Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities.

"By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next general election can help. The public can play their role by letting the politicians know what they want done."

Fore more information please call the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01237 766 670