CHILDREN in Huddersfield are losing out in the pocket money stakes!

The amount of spending cash received by Yorkshire children has dropped by almost 40% in the past year.

The surprising result came from the Halifax bank's annual pocket money survey for children aged seven to 16.

Overall, children have seen pocket money rise dramatically - but not here.

In Yorkshire, the South-West, West Midlands and the east of England children are getting less than last year.

The average amount of pocket money in Yorkshire has dropped from £8.05 a week to £5.08.

This compares with the national average of £8.37 a week - 7% more than last year.

Only 49% of Yorkshire children get pocket money, compared to 66% nationally.

Welsh children receive the most pocket money, with them getting an average of £13.51 a week. This is 83% more than the £7.39 average of 2004.

Children in London saw pocket money rocket by 41% to £10.22 a week. Children in the North-East now enjoy 27% more cash per week than last year, an average of £11.26.

About half the children surveyed have to earn their money by doing chores such as washing up or cleaning.

Pocket money is usually spent on mobile phone bills, sweets and crisps. DVDs, computer games, CDs and magazines are also popular drains on cash.

The Examiner spoke to Huddersfield parents to see what children in our area are pocketing.

Mum: Anne Shaw.

Daughter: Joanne,11.

Live: Scissett.

Mum says: "Joanne gets £2 a week from her grandma and I just buy her things when she wants them."

Mum: Suzanne Womersley.

Children: Daughters Rosie, 12 and Tierney, six.

Live: Oakes.

Mum says: "Tierney gets £5 a week. Rosie gets £7 but she is saving it for a laptop computer. We will buy the computer and she is paying us back."

Mum: Susan Wimpenny.

Children: Daughter Leah, eight and son Josh, 12.

Live: Meltham.

Pocket money: Josh gets £3 a week and Leah gets £1.

Mum says: "Pocket money hasn't gone up in our house!"

Mum: Pamela Roberts.

Daughters: Naomi, 11 and Hannah, eight.

Live: Almondbury.

Mum says: "They have £5 a week spending money each. Whatever else I give them in the way of treats is on top of that. My eldest usually spends it on topping her mobile phone credit up."