THE North-East suffers from one of the largest shortages of foster carers in the country, a survey has revealed.

Prepared by the Fostering Network, the report shows a shortage of 1,300 foster parents across the region.

Since the organisation's last survey in 2002, the shortage nationally has risen by 35 per cent from 6,100 to 8,200.

The North-East has the third-highest shortage after London and the North-West.

Angela Robinson, from children's welfare organisation Barnado's North-East, said: "We've always been desperate for foster carers, but why this is we have no idea It could be that this is a poorer area. It could be that people are working longer hours.

"One of the problems is, geographically, we are a small area and there are a number of agencies. We're all fishing in the same pool."

The Fostering Network's executive director, Robert Tapsfield, said there was a need for proper investment in fostering services and that too many children's lives were disrupted by frequent moves and living far from home.

He said: "The Government needs to take a long, hard look at the way in which foster carers are supported. Our research shows that half of UK carers remain unpaid, with two-thirds not even getting their costs covered.

"No wonder so many local authorities are struggling to recruit and retain carers in sufficient numbers."

For the survey, local authorities were asked how many foster carers they would have to recruit so that each child could live with a family which met their needs.