The county council is currently looking for adults who have the time and commitment to care for teenagers and younger children, as well as those who are disabled, from other cultures or of mixed heritage.

Staff from the council's fostering service will be holding a series of events to give people the opportunity to meet existing foster carers and learn more about the benefits and responsibilities involved.

Sylvia Vickers from the service said: "More foster carers are needed to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families.

"To become a carer what matters most is time, space, commitment, patience, a caring nature and skills to work with children and their families."

Placements can range from one weekend a month to several years, and people who are single and couples, as well as those who have children, are retired, unemployed or working, are invited to apply.

A family placement surgery for people interested in caring for over-18s will take place on Monday at Leamington library from 4.30pm to 7pm.

Fostering service staff will also be at Southam Carnival at Southam Recreation Ground on May 25 from noon to 4pm and at Leamington Peace Festival in the Pump Room Gardens on June 14 and 15 from 11am to 5pm.

Anyone interested but who is unable to attend an event should call 0800 4081556 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering

For information about fostering, visit www.fostering.net