FOSTER carers are urgently needed in the borough to look after youngsters in need of a good home.

Social workers are launching a recruitment campaign to tie in with National Foster Care Fortnight, which starts on Monday (June 24).

Bury needs at least another 20 foster carers to help give children a better start in life.

Bury Family Placement Team has put together an information display which can be seen at local libraries, leisure and sports centres, large stores and garden centres around the borough.

The team will be based at Unsworth library, and has produced a new booklet called "Fostering: Your Step-by-Step Guide", available by phoning 253 5457 or emailing FosteringandAdoption@bury.gov.uk.

Councillor Mike Connolly, social services spokesman, said: "In Bury there are 120 children living with foster families on any one day. These children are all individuals and need to live with foster carers who are carefully chosen to meet their needs.

"One of the greatest rewards for foster carers is to see children develop and thrive while in their care. Knowing they have made a real difference to a child's life gives a tremendous sense of satisfaction to foster carers."

Ms Diana Powell, family placement team manager, added: "There are many different types of fostering and we particularly need carers for older children and sibling groups.

"Even if people are working and they have limited time to offer, there is still the opportunity to foster. Bury also has a need for carers for our Home from Home scheme, which offers short planned breaks, often at the weekend, to disabled children and young people.

"In addition, we need carers who could offer occasional weekend stays to older children who are either away in residential schools, or as part of a package of support to prevent a young person needing to be looked after away from home on a full-time basis. We urge anyone interested to come forward and find out more."

Further information about fostering and adoption is available on the council's website at www.bury.gov.uk