Scores of children were illegally smuggled into Sussex to be sold into the sex industry last year.

Although the figures suggest trafficked children who arrive in Britain via Gatwick are safer than in other parts of the country, national statistics reveal the number of youngsters being sneaked into the country is increasing at an alarming rate.

The figures show that 957 children fell victim to traffickers and were taken into care between April and December last year.

This represents a 90% increase over the previous three years.

Although the young victims of trafficking are taken into local authority care, many do not stay there long and disappear from homes.

It is thought they are told to escape safe houses under the threat of punishment by traffickers.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has been flagged up as one of the local authorities winning the battle against criminal gangs.

It took 55 suspected victims of trafficking into care between April and January last year and only five children went missing.

In the previous three years it lost track of 42.

Christine Beddoe, director of Ecpat UK, which campaigns against child prostitution, said: "One of the things which makes Sussex buck the trend is the very high levels of work being done.

"The figures for children going missing across Sussex used to be one of the highest in the country.

"As a result, the police and local authorities have worked together to establish Operation Newbridge, looking at children who may have been trafficked.

"We would like to see the same level of resources in other areas."

Ms Beddoe said the victims were usually vulnerable and exploited even before they were trafficked and would be convinced by their captors not to trust the authorities.

She said: "We know very clearly from information from the police that many children are told or groomed what to do.

"They are told to go missing. Often they are given a phone number or a mobile with only one number on it. "Lessons should be learned from Sussex across the country."

A spokesman for WSCC said: "There is no room for complacency.

"But the figures show that a multiagency approach between the county council, Gatwick, police and the immigration service, together with personal safety plans for unaccompanied children, is having an impact."