The GMB said employers should adopt family-friendly policies

The GMB union said about 18,700 homes in the city had just one parent - the second highest percentage in the UK after Glasgow.

In the North West as a whole there are 215,610 lone parent households - just over a quarter of all homes with children.

The figure represents an increase of 78.4% on the position in 1991.

The report, which follows the 2001 census, said that the figure for Liverpool was 38.7% - compared to 39.8% in Manchester.

'Childcare support'

In Lancashire the highest percentage was in Blackpool where the figure was 32.3%.

Paul Kenny, from the GMB, said: "These figures demonstrate the absolute necessity of employers adopting family-friendly policies to enable these lone parents to participate fully in the workforce.

"After-school clubs and other supports for childcare are also essential.

"It would also be of great help if childcare expenses were made tax deductible for both employers and parents."