MORE ethnic people will be encouraged to adopt children and become foster parents.

The Sahara Adoption and Fostering project has been commissioned by 11 North-East councils to increase the number of foster and adoptive places available to ethnic children.

The scheme is making links with projects involved with ethnic groups across the region, to raise awareness, promote interest and provide information about fostering and adoption.

Councils involved in the project are Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton, Sunderland and South Tyneside.

Anyone interested in fostering or adoption can receive training and support in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi or in other languages through interpreters.

Applicants would become carers for one of the local authorities involved in the project. To get involved, call 0191-4903307 or 0790 415 3932.