A campaign to find adoptive families who will offer a home to a child has been launched in North Yorkshire.

Permanent families are needed to bring stability to children who have been separated from their birth families.

North Yorkshire is backing National Adoption Week, which runs until next Sunday, and aims to raise awareness about adoption and permanent fostering. Jenny Thornton, North Yorkshire County Council's group manager for children's services, said: "We want to reach even more people this year, right across the while county.

"We particularly want to find families for school age children, brothers and sisters who need to stay together and children who have a disability.

People from all backgrounds who can offer a family environment are needed to cater for the needs of a wide range of children.

Anyone considering adoption or permanent fostering should contact their local social services customer relations unit for a free information pack on the following numbers; Harrogate - 01423 568099, Selby - 01757 213651 or Scarborough - 0645 501555.