CHILDREN in our region are said to be among the wealthiest in the country according to a pocket money survey just published.

Charles, Caitlin and Ailsa McHardy

Barbara Harper and her niece, Amy Brooks

Elizabeth and Benjamin Arundel

Mum Judith Ness with, from left, Jordan and Marcus Ness and Rebecca Wilson

Figures produced by ice-cream manufacturer Walls suggest that youngsters in York and North Yorkshire receive an average of £2.84 per week, a huge 20 per cent rise on last year.

This compares with a disappointing £1.92 a week dished out to London children. And it seems the further north you are the better lined young pockets are likely to be, with Scottish piggy banks swelling by a cool £3.42 every week.

The Evening Press proved this to be the case with one Scottish family holidaying in York as we took to the streets to find out what our children spend our - sorry, their money - on.

Scottish couple Sallie and Ken McHardy, of Aberdeen, certainly go against their home town's stereotyped "careful" image, giving their eldest son Charles, 12, a monthly £20 allowance.

Sallie said: "Our younger two, Caitlin and Ailsa, do only get a pound a week to buy sweets and drinks, but that's only a discretionary amount because if they want anything we generally buy it for them."

Barbara Harper, from York, out with her seven-year-old niece Amy Brooks, also said she generally buys things for her charges.

She said: "If we go to Scarborough or somewhere like that for the day, then I give them about three or four quid to see them through on things like ice cream and rides."

But self-confessed bookworm Amy said: "I like to save any pocket money I get to buy comics and books to read."

Seven-year-old Benjamin Arundel, on a visit to York's Museum Gardens with his mum Elizabeth, said he doesn't get any pocket money.

Elizabeth explained: "I don't think he's old enough to know the value of money yet. I think it's important to let them know that things aren't just given out for nothing. I was an only child and had to earn my pocket money."

Nine-year-old Rebecca Wilson and her friend Jordan Ness, eight, from Rawcliffe, in York, seem to have learned the value of money for themselves, saving up their pocket money in order to be able to buy the toys they want. Jordan said: "I really like Beanie Babies and save my pound every week so I can buy new ones."

Her mum Judith said she tried to instil a sense of worth in everything her children do, even down to five-year-old Marcus. She said: "I am amazed at the amount some people give their kids, but with mine they have to realise they have to save if they want anything.

"Even Marcus went into a shop last week and knew he couldn't have anything over the £5 he had saved."

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