AS young people fly the nest this autumn to start at university and pastures new Bury's fostering service is encouraging people to open up their hearts and their homes to children and teenagers in need of care.

Foster with Bury is seeking parents with the associated, invaluable experience and life skills to sign up to take in a foster child.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Bury Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for children, young people and skills, said: "As parents enter this new stage in life where children are leaving home, they’ll be in the perfect position to welcome a new child or young person and they’ll have built up so much experience and care, making them invaluable to a looked after child in need.”

To be eligible to foster you must be over 21 years old, be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain and have a spare bedroom.

But no matter what your race, gender, sexuality, living arrangements, age or employment status, the service says it is keen to hear from everyone.

For further information call 0800 9555 311 or visit www.fosterwithbury.co.uk.