A PUBLICITY drive to attract 100 more foster carers has been launched by Lancashire County Council.

County councillor Chris Cheetham in charge of social services at Lancashire County Council, launched 100 balloons to represent the number of foster parents needed.

The campaign is part of Foster Fortnight, an annual national event, which started on Monday and is supported by TV's Davina McCall.

According to Fostering Network, the national charity for fostering, despite 32,000 foster families in England, there is an estimated shortage of almost 8,000 foster carers across the UK.

This shortage means that children in care end up being moved from home to home, are split up from their brothers and sisters, and have to live a long way from their family and friends.

They also can become institutionalised. The county council is currently remodelling its children's homes to make them more like normal homes, with fewer children in each home.

And it is running a publicity campaign to urge more people to foster, with displays in public areas across East Lancashire. Coun Cheetham said: "There is an estimated shortage of 900 foster carers across the North West.

"We want to raise awareness of the situation across Lancashire and help support those who may be considering fostering -- 100 balloons represent the current shortage of foster carers."

The East Lancashire fostering team can be contacted at Chaddersley House, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1HW or by ringing 01282 425961. People in Blackburn with Darwen can contact 01254 587572.