Campaign launched to find foster carers

Super foster carers Bob and Jackie Smith with 17-year-old Nicole

A campaign has been launched to find more than 700 foster carers.

There are 23 local authorities backing the drive across the North-West.

Places for brothers and sisters are particularly high on the priorities for the region.

Nicole, 17, was fostered from the age of nine by Bob and Jackie Smith, who currently foster five children.

She said: "I want to thank Jackie and Bob for everything they've done, keeping me as part of their family and pushing me to achieve my ambitions.

"They are the best people in my life and without them I wouldn't be here today."

In the North-West alone, there are 9,000 children and young people in foster placements, out of around 52,000 across England.

The region-wide campaign aims to replace foster carers who have stepped down from the role due to retirement or other causes.

Further priorities in the search for carers include helping children from ethic minority backgrounds and new migrant communities.