There are 'shocking' differences in the numbers of emergency hospital admissions for children with asthma across the UK, a new report reveals.

Figures published by the charity Asthma UK show an eight-fold difference in admissions between different primary care trusts (PCTs).

According to the charity, governments and health services need to take asthma more seriously and ensure consistent standards.

The charity claims that 75 per cent of emergency hospital admissions for asthma could be prevented through effective asthma management and routine care, potentially saving the NHS nearly £46 million per year.

Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, said that the figures paint a 'disturbing' picture of the impact of asthma and that not all children are getting the same access to vital asthma services.

'These divisions are unacceptable, particularly the staggering eight-fold difference in admissions in England,' he remarked.

'If asthma is not controlled effectively, the effects can be devastating and in some cases fatal, which is why reducing the hospital admissions of people with asthma is a key aim for Asthma UK.'