A West Yorkshire local authority says it needs more foster carers in Huddersfield.

Anyone can foster as long as they have what it takes to care for children separated for their own families. People from ethnic minorities are being encouraged to apply as are a single people and unmarried couples.

Paul Johnson, assistant director of children and families at Kirklees Council, told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner that the shortage of carers in Hudderfield was no worse than other parts of the UK.

He said: "We have undertaken quite a lot of publicity and recruitment campaigns to try to encourage appropriate carers, and have had some success.

"We have always got an issue about the number of foster carers available. Obviously we want to try to place as many young people as possible with foster parents, rather than in residential care."

For more information call 01484 222080 or e-mail kinfo@kirkleesmc.gov.uk.