MORE than one in ten children in foster care in County Durham is forced to move home at least three times a year, Government figures have revealed.

The North-East has a shortage of 1,300 foster carers, so some of the region's most vulnerable youngsters have to move between homes.

Government figures obtained by charity The Fostering Network, show that across Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria, one in 20 foster children is forced to move between at least three foster homes, rising to one in ten in Durham.

North-East MP John Cummings appealed to residents across the region to help provide a more stable environment for the vulnerable children.

Mr Cummings, who represents the Easington constituency, made his call for more carers on the eve of Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign organised by The Fostering Network.

The new Government findings, he said, indicated a shortage of foster carers across the county, resulting in a number of children being uprooted from temporary home to temporary home.

The recent figures also revealed that all age groups are being moved, including babies under the age of one.

Mr Cummings said: "Foster care is an absolutely essential service, giving children across Durham the chance of a brighter future, and a productive, happier place in our society. Foster carers do a fantastic job, but the fact is there are simply not enough of them at the moment.''

He added: "Children need the love, support and guidance only a family can offer.

"Unfortunately, the reality is that many children must not only deal with the trauma of being separated from their birth families and taken into the care system, but also cope with being shunted between foster homes, schools and neighbourhoods.''

Mr Cummings' call for carers comes in the wake of a newly- launched Durham County Council campaign to secure more foster carers for teenagers in the Easington district, where problems with placements have proved particularly acute.

At Durham County Hall, strategic manager for looked- after children Meg Boustead said: "Foster carers play a vital role in helping children through difficult times in their lives.

"All kinds of people are needed - carers can come from any walk of life - each year at least 35 new foster carers are needed to look after children in County Durham.''

Anyone who is interested in learning more about fostering in the county is asked to contact Gillian Wood on 0191-370-6149..