COUNCILS across Teesside are appealing for people to be foster parents.

The national Fostering Network estimates there is a need for 10,000 additional foster carers across the British Isles.

Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils say locally, there is a need for more people to get involved.

Councillor Joan Brunton, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for Children's Services, said: "We currently have just over 100 registered foster carers in Middlesbrough and, while this is enough to meet immediate needs, we need at least another 25 to give us a wider choice of placements when children need to go into foster care and also to provide respite care when long-serving carers need a bit of a rest."

She added: "You don't need any formal qualifications to be a foster carer. What you do need is a lot of enthusiasm and patience and a willingness to look after a child, or young person, who can't live with their own family.

"They might be with you for a few days - or much longer - but however long they stay, they will need a safe and supportive environment."

Middlesbrough social services family placement team provides advice and support for foster carers and there is also a local fostering network. To help, contact (01642) 300870.

Firefighters from Redcar's Blue Watch used their expertise to lift a huge banner into place in the resort's Regent Walk shopping mall, urging the public to "Think About Fostering".

Judith Allan, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's fostering team manager, said: "We are very grateful to the fire brigade for helping us out.

"The aim of the two weeks is not only to raise local awareness regarding fostering and children and young people who are looked after, but also, hopefully, to recruit quality foster carers."