A campaign to find more foster carers in south Gloucestershire has been hitting the streets.

Carers in the South Gloucestershire already look after about 150 children at any one time. But there is a particular need for people in Kingswood and Yate and for people to take in older children, disabled youngsters, brothers and sisters together and children needing a long-term foster home.

As part of its drive to recruit more foster carers during national Foster Care Fortnight, the council has a staged road show in Kingswood and has another is planned for tomorrow in Yate Shopping Centre.

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, the council's executive member for social care, housing and health, said: "Foster carers are a highly valued group of people. The care they give to children is extremely important and encouraging more carers to come forward is vital to the continuation of this invaluable work."

Nasreen Ahmed, the family placement team manager for social services, said the most important qualification was the ability to offer a secure loving home to a child.

Those eligible for consideration include single people, unmarried or married couples, those in work or unemployed, people living in rented or private accommodation and those from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Young and older people can apply and all foster carers will receive an allowance to help pay for the keep of a child. There is also a fee paid fostering scheme for carers who have some previous experience of caring or working with children or young people with particular problems.

For information call 01454 866251.