WHEN ADOPTION chiefs asked an East Lancashire orphan where he wanted to live he drew a picture of York.

And despite the age old rivalry between the two rose counties, Blackburn with Darwen Council now want to grant his wish.

The Lancashire-born eight-year-old has social workers searching for a home for him and his five-year-old brother across the Pennines.

And putting aside any personal gripes with the county, council bosses are placing an advert in the area's newspapers to try and find a family for the brothers, who they have named Jack and Tom for the advert.

As part of the adoption process children in care are asked what they want from a family whether it be a house in a city or the country or a big garden.

But when Jack, who is fascinated with history, was asked, he was clear after a trip to York he had no doubt about where he wanted to go.

The youngster, who has lost two family members in tragic circumstances - he lost his dad three years ago and his elder brother in the summer - even drew the place name right across a picture.

Social worker Graham Walsh said: "We do our best to find the right family and environment for every child, and we're used to all sorts of requests. Wanting to live in York is a new one, but we'll see if it's possible."

Coun Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen's executive member for social services, said: "We are committed to doing the best for our children. We'll go a long way for the young people in our care, even if it's Yorkshire!"

Social workers have described Jack as a healthy boy, who enjoys school. He is good at reading and spelling but struggles a bit with maths. He is an intelligent boy who tends to become anxious and appears shy. He is resilient, affectionate and has a good sense of humour.

Tom, who has global dyspraxia, a developmental disorder, receives ongoing speech therapy. He is very close to his siblings and loves animals. He tends to get bossy with his older brother. Tom also suffers from asthma, for which he uses an inhaler.