The number of youngsters being looked after in children's homes in Argyll and Bute is on the way down, according to the latest figures.

Argyll and Bute Council's statistics show that last year there were 44 children and young people in residential homes, a cut of 24 per cent since 1997. In Scotland, the number of children's home placements has dropped by 25 per cent during the same period.

Of the children in residential homes in Argyll and Bute, 54 per cent were boys - less than the Scottish national average of 65 per cent. And 34 per cent of the children were aged between 12 and 15 years old against 68 per cent national average for children aged between 11 and 15 years old.

At the moment, there are no Argyll and Bute children in secure accommodation, and only three have been placed since 1986. In Scotland, 80 children were in secure homes in the year up to March 1999.

Across the country, the average size of children's homes has dropped from 18 places between 1989 and 1999, to about ten places in 1999.

In Argyll and Bute, there are four homes with nine beds, 13 beds, five beds, and 27 beds.

A new home in Helensburgh, due to open next year, will accommodate seven children.