Adoption agencies in the South-west have united to urge parents to consider offering a home to the area's 119 children in care.

The South West Adoption Consortium's 'Don't Rule Yourself Out' campaign calls on people who thought they would not be suitable to think again.

Adoptive parents no longer have to be married, young or even on a big house.

Satah Acheson, senior practitioner with Bath & North-East Somerset Council's family planning team, said: "We are aware there are many people out there who think they might not be able to adopt.

"These include disabled people, people with limited incomes, families with children and single people.

"The main message of this campaign is for people to find out more about adoption before dismising their chances - please don't rule yourself out.

"There is a need to adopt older children which is something which will undoubtedly have it's challenging moments, but the experience is so rewarding, especially having the knowledge that you have given a child another chance."

Lin and Paul West from Midsomer Norton, Somerset, believed they would not qualify as adoptive parents.

"Now they have succeeded in adopting two children and are applying to adopt a third.

"We didn'think we were eligible as when we applied Paul was 43 and I was 33.

"I'm on the heavier side and disabled and we didn'tthink we had enough money - of course none of that applies at all.

"We are now the proud parents of two boys aged five and six and we're being assessed for a little girl to join our family."

For more information about adopting children please call the South West Adoption Consortium on 0845 1220411 or e-mail: Don't Rule Yourself Out