SINGLE mums from a Bournemouth estate are being invited by the BBC to speak up for themselves in reply to jibes made about them on national radio.

Simon Andrews called Radio Five's Victoria Derbyshire show to give his opinion in a debate about the role of the state in making better parents.

Mr Andrews said that single mums at West Howe were not interested in working, and spend their time watching daytime television and drinking wine while their children play video games and eat chocolate biscuits.

"I live on a council estate and if you come round now and tap on the door you won't get an answer because they're all in bed," Mr Andrews told a national radio audience.

Victoria's team hopes to speak to single mums on the estate to find out if Mr Andrews' comments are accurate.

"My ideal scenario would be to broadcast the show from a home on the estate," said Victoria, who hosts the daily show.

"The point of the show would be to get to the truth behind the comments. I'm not saying Mr Andrews is making it up, but if women do live like that, let's talk to them about their lives," Victoria added.

The portrait of young mums was not recognised by Phil D'Eath, the centre manager of North Bournemouth Children's Centres on Moore Avenue. Mr D'Eath said his centre is in contact with 95 per cent of the estate's families with children under five.

"We've recently had 46 parents gain qualifications with Bournemouth College. Parents at the centre were voted volunteers of the year by Bournemouth council two years ago. If these are the parents talked about, I don't recognise the description," said Mr D'Eath.

Anyone interested in contributing to the programme should email gillian.blackwood@bbc.co.uk or victoria@bbc.co.uk.