A quarter of the Isle of Wight's young people did not feel positive about their future and three quarters had been worrying a lot, according to an Isle of Wight Youth Trust survey, leading it to blame the impact of Covid-19.

The charity quizzed children and young people aged between 7 and 25 in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

It says its findings showed more young people than in previous years were feeling alone and were increasingly reliant on social media for interaction.

Between 2019 and 2021, there was around a sixteen per cent rise in 7-11 year olds (to 74 per cent) and 11-25 (to 78 per cent) worrying a lot.

By 2021, seven per cent more children and young people (to 67 per cent) often felt unhappy, down or tearful, said the Trust.

Among 11–25 year-olds, 69 per cent were lacking in energy and enthusiasm (up 12 per cent from 2019).

Meanwhile, the survey also found nearly 11 per cent more 11-25 year olds identified as LGBTQ+ in 2021, compared to 2019.

Youth Trust CEO Jo Dare said: "These findings reflect the reasons children, young people and their families are reaching out for support from the Youth Trust.

"Anxiety remains by far the most common concern young Islanders are presenting with to our counsellors and wellbeing practitioners.

"However, we are seeing increasing numbers of young people seeking support for low mood, disordered eating and self-harm."