CARERS and council staff have combined to embark on a promotional cycle ride.

Nine riders set off from Peterlee on a three-day journey to all ten of Durham County Council's social services offices.

Organised as part of national Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until Sunday, the trip aimed to encourage more people to foster.

It began with the launch of 146 balloons, representing the number of children who have been fostered since Christmas.

Florence Coulter, council fostering and adoption manager, said: "We need a wide range of people to provide foster homes because of the very varied needs of all the different children we look after.

"We work with all ages of children, from babies to teenagers, and there are many different types of fostering, from overnight emergency carers to those who can offer a child a home for a week, a month, or longer.

"Being a foster carer is an important and rewarding job, and we'd be delighted to hear from anyone who feels they have something to offer."

The riders' route took them through Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Crook, Barnard Castle, Eggleston, Hamsterley Forest, Wolsingham, Consett, Stanley, Chester-le-Street, Durham and Seaham.

For more details about fostering, ring (01325) 372803.