SOCIAL services chiefs in North Yorkshire are aiming to recruit more foster carers as part of a national campaign.

The Fostering Network Campaign is hoping to attract foster carers from throughout the county, allowing children to stay in their own communities.

John Heron, county council child placement unit manager, said: "We need more foster carers in every part of the county so children and young people don't have to leave their communities, change school, lose contact with friends and possibly have to travel long distances to visit family members.

"The Fostering Network Campaign aims to increase the number of foster carers and provides us with a choice of foster families that a child could stay with."

Mr Heron added: "It does not matter if you are out of work, a little older, or living in rented accommodation, or indeed if you've been in care yourself.

"We need to recruit carers from a whole range of different backgrounds, with a whole range of skills and experiences. We need ordinary people."

Further information is available from the Fostering Network call centre on (0800) 0965985