EAST Lancashire families have been urged to think about providing a home for a child who needs one.

During Foster Care Fortnight, which starts on Monday, Lancashire County Council is asking people to offer a home to some of the hundreds of youngsters in its care.

A range of support is available, including allowances system, training and professional support.

County children’s cabinet member Coun Matthew Tomlinson said: “We are looking after over 1,650 children and young people in Lancashire, so that's an extremely big family.

“It's our job to care for them in the way any good parent would, so we need the help of people in Lancashire who are willing to take children and young people into their homes and look after them. I'd like to use Foster Care Fortnight to appeal to people considering a career change, or who want to carry on — or start — working with children and young people.

“We don't have any stereotype of the ideal foster carer, so people shouldn't rule themselves out just because they're single or don't own their own home, for example."