An initiative is being launched to celebrate fostering and encourage more foster carers to come forward in Wiltshire.

The art competition and exhibition by foster children and the children of families who foster is being launched on Saturday.

The ground-breaking exhibition is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

It is designed not only to be used as a tool to help recruit new carers, but also as a way of celebrating children and young people in foster care, and the families that foster them.

Steve Cladingboel, Wiltshire County Council Family Recruitment officer, and one of the exhibition organisers, said: "Foster carers perform an exceptionally important role.

"There are about 275 young people who are fostered in Wiltshire. Highlighting the ideas and abilities of children and young people also serves to promote the vital work that foster carers do.

"The artwork is very expressive, and often very heartfelt. The visual messages the children have communicated through their paintings and drawings are very honest and open - some reflect the joys of 'normal' family life, others represent difficult experiences in those young people's pasts. As they say, a picture tells a thousand words."

There will be around 40 pieces of artwork on display, ranging from expressive painting to 3D models.

The date of the exhibition has been timed to coincide with the end of Foster Care Fortnight - a national campaign run by the Fostering Network, which runs from 24 June 24 to July 7.

The competition entrants will be announced at the exhibition's launch at County Hall, Trowbridge, on Saturday.

There will be prizes for all the entrants, including a DVD player.

The children's artwork will then be displayed as part of a mobile exhibition, which will tour the county, visiting libraries, festivals, and various other venues in all the major towns.