A CHILDREN'S rights campaigner is set to host a memorial event to remember a Barrow toddler who died seven years ago.

After visiting Barrow last month as part of his UK-wide tour to fight for improvements to children's services Jack Barnes has decided to return to the town to commemorate the life of Poppi Worthington.

Mr Barnes, also known as Scouse Megaphone Man, was moved to tears to hear local people recalling the tragedy and the missed opportunities to bring those responsible for her death to justice.

Poppi was just 13 months when she died after paramedics and police were called to her family home in Barrow in 2012.

A High Court judge and a coroner later ruled she had been sexually assaulted by her dad Paul Worthington.

In January 2018 a fresh inquest was held into her death. During the hearing Mr Worthington refused to answer a total of 252 questions over four hours about Poppi’s final moments.

Mr Barnes, who spent his childhood in and out of care homes, boarding schools, secure units and foster homes, dedicates his life to travelling around the UK to act as a voice for children being failed.

"Our initial plan was to have a bench installed at the cemetery but it's not been possible because of a lack of space so instead we're going to have a short gathering outside Barrow Cemetery and say a couple of prayers for Poppi and her mum," the 45-year-old said.

"We haven't been able to contact Poppi's mum because she can't be identified but obviously if she would like to be involved, or if she has any problems with it, then of course we will respect her wishes.

"We will lay some flowers at the graveside but we will only visit the grave in pairs so as to be respectful to Poppi, her family and other families who might be visiting the cemetery."

Mr Barnes has been raising money to pay for the flowers by selling bracelets.

Anyone who would like to attend the memorial can meet at the main entrance to Barrow Cemetery at 11am on November 30.