According to latest figures the number of children taken into care by Bolton social services has almost doubled.

The report also shows a worrying increase in the number of children being at risk and placed on the Child Protection Register.

During March 2001 the number of children on the register was 91. By March 2002 the figure had increased by 47 per cent to 134.

There was good news however for the adoption teams. Bolton is managing to place 19 out of 20 children with new parents within one year of a decision being made about their futures. The average length of time it takes is 6.4 months.