FOOTBALL stars took time out from their tense promotion run-in to help kick off a fostering campaign.

Richie Humphreys and Joel Porter launched a Hartlepool Borough Council campaign to find at least 20 foster carers.

The borough has 63 carers, but has difficulties providing foster care for a number of children because of the shortfall.

The campaign, called 20 Reasons to Care, was launched in the civic centre by the town's mayor, Stuart Drummond, with support from Councillor Cath Hill, the council's portfolio holder for social and health care, Sallyanne Johnson, director of social services, and the Hartlepool players.

To mark the beginning of the campaign, balloons which incorporate a new eye-catching image and logo adopted for the campaign, were released.

Ms Johnson said: "We currently look after about 120 local children and some of these have to live out of the town because of the shortage of foster carers."

Joyce Brown, of Torquay Avenue, who has been a foster carer since 1992, said: "I became a widow in my early 40s and after my own two children left home I needed to find something to do.

"I was 57 when I took up fostering and I've looked after 17 children over a period of 12 years.

"It has certainly been very rewarding and I have no regrets."

A hotline number has been set up for anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer. The number is (01429) 284444.