Malta is the worst country for children to grow up in, if a study by York University is to be believed.

Researchers from the university for the Child Poverty Action Group found that Malta ranked last out of 29 countries examined - the EU27 plus Norway and Iceland.

The Netherlands came top of the child wellbeing table, followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark, based on data from 2006.

This study drew on 43 separate indicators affecting children up to 19 years of age, ranging from health, poverty, education and behaviour to relationships and how youngsters felt about their lives.

On health, which included indicators on infant mortality and birth weight, Malta was placed in the 28th position.

On children's relationships, which included indicators on how easy chidlren said they found it to talk to their parents and get on with their classmates, Malta came 21st and on behaviour and risk, which included indicators on violence and risk behaviour, Malta placed 14th.

The country was not ranked in material resources, education and housing and environment.