Poverty is the biggest destroyer of children's lives... governments and international institutions are not delivering on their promises to beat it

Mike Aaronson, Save the Children UK

But only 46% of people questioned thought the government's aim to reduce child poverty in the UK by half within 10 years and eliminate it within 20 was improbable.

The survey of 2,095 people suggested 56% wanted the government to do more to combat child poverty.

Some 90% of those questioned said they would be prepared to do something to eliminate child poverty if asked by a charity.

The charity has launched a manifesto as part of its "beat poverty" campaign demanding increased spending on health and education, greater overseas aid and fairer global trade.

Charity bosses said it would bring government policy in line with the demands of its voters.

Mike Aaronson, director general of Save the Children UK said: "Our leaders need to wake up to what the poll is saying.

'Decisive action'

"It shows that the UK public is ready to play an active part in the fight against child poverty.

"Poverty is the biggest destroyer of children's lives, hopes, and opportunities but governments and international institutions are not delivering on their promises to beat it.

"Promises alone will not achieve this. From now on words must be seen to lead to decisive action."

Christopher Lee joins the campaign

The survey also found people are anxious about the scale of child poverty in developing countries, with 98% saying it was a serious political issue.

Some 56% of those questioned said the UN had lead responsibility for eradicating child poverty globally.

Save the Children Week began on Saturday and as part of the campaign film star Christopher Lee has narrated a TV commercial to draw attention to child poverty.

The 40 second advert features the life of one family in a nameless country and uses 3D animation to represent the "evil personification" of poverty by a menacing shadow.

Lee is often typecast as the bad guy and is known for playing monstrous roles in horror films.

The advert will be shown for the first time on ITV1 on Monday.

Lee, who has been made a CBE, said: "The character of poverty in Save the Children's commercial is an evil that must be beaten - it preys on the lives of children around the world."