The Bradford district has only a fifth of the number of childcare places needed to offer care to every child under eight years old, according to new figures.

Department for Education statistics show there are 53,700 children aged eight and under in Bradford qualifying for childcare but the district has only 10,800 registered childcare or playgroup places.

This means about 42,000 children must be looked after by parents or - if they work - relatives, friends or non-registered carers who have not passed criminal record checks.

Even if children aged over five were excluded from the figures, Bradford would still be nearly 23,000 care places short.

Today, Bradford Council denied the district was facing a childcare crisis and said a further 1,000 childcare places for children aged up to five would be created through new Children's Centres over the next two years.

Early years manager Robin Naylor said: "Although the figures say more than 50,000 youngsters aged eight or under live in the Bradford district, clearly not every parent needs or wants to organise childcare for their child.

"So it is not the case that more than 50,000 children are applying for about 10,000 places.

"In the past three years about 5,000 new places have been created across the Bradford district and that is very much in line with the Government's national targets for childcare."

In a blaze of publicity six years ago, Prime Minister Tony Blair unveiled his Childcare Strategy, guaranteeing childcare places for all children under 14.

Now national director of the Daycare Trust Stephen Burke is demanding a registered place for each child.

He said: "Quality childcare is good for children and good for society.

"Access to childcare depends on families' incomes and where they live. Often those children who would benefit most from quality childcare services miss out. There is a long way to go before the situation is acceptable."