A COUPLE have told of their experience of adoption in an effort to persuade other parents in east Cleveland to consider taking on abandoned or troubled children.

The couple, who asked not to be named, adopted a boy, six, and a girl, four, and said the experience has been "scary" but rewarding.

The children's adoptive father said they adopted the pair two years ago and were considering giving a home to another child in two or three years time. He said: "We know their backgrounds and why they were put up for adoption. Adopting a child can be scary but we cannot imagine life without them."

Redcar and Cleveland Council's child placement off-icer Helga Cullum said: "We want more people to come forward. Adopting a child is a very rewarding experience but it is life-changing too. Prospective adopters can come from any walk of life and can be married, single, working, not working and of any race or gender. We are particularly interested in people who are willing to adopt a child over four years of age or a child with some form of disability."

The council's adoption team has arranged an open day, linked with National Adoption Week, on Saturday, at the Grosmont Resource Centre, Grosmont Close, Redcar, between 1pm and 4pm. For more information call (01642) 495916.