TWENTY-two balloons will be released in Blackburn town centre to mark foster care fortnight which starts this week.

The balloons represent the fact that a child goes into care – and needs a foster family – every 22 minutes.

The balloons will be released outside Blackburn market at 12.30pm as part of the national Fostering Network campaign.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has relaunched its Happy Families campaign, which will see life size cardboard cut-outs placed around the town centre.

They feature cartoons of the wide variety of people who sign up to be fosters.

A special information evening will also be held at Shadsworth children’s Centre on Thursday, May 24 from 6.30pm.

During the fortnight an awards evening will be held for children in care at Youth Zone, which will recognise everything from academic achievement to volunteering.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, executive member for children’s services said: “There are children coming into the system all the time and while we have some wonderful foster families we simply need more.”

Visit www.blackburn.gov.uk/ fostering or call 0800 328 6919.