Foster Carers from Swale and Canterbury have received a civic thank you for their services.

The carers were thanked as they attended a conference and lunch with workshops on education, health and emotional support and helping young people in care prepare for adult life and employment.

Kent County Council's director of operations for social services Oliver Mills said: "Kent County Council's foster carers provide an essential service, looking after children in the care of KCC who have often been through difficult and traumatic experiences.

"We are very lucky to have such a dedicated, caring and enthusiastic army of carers and they are very much appreciated."

Last year the council started a programme of NVQ training for foster carers who want to gain a qualification. Forty carers have so far started the course.

Anyone seeking more information about becoming a foster carer in Kent should call 01303 226808. All the authority's carers receive 24-hour assistance from social services, support groups and training and can also receive an extra "bounty" payment if they introduce new families who are later approved as foster carers.