OXFORDSHIRE County Council has launched a call for more people to come forward to become foster parents.

Gwen Grossman, unit manager for family placements, said: "Rod and Rosalie James are like the backbone of the fostering service.

"Rosalie is now a foster care co-ordinator who provides 24/7 support for other foster carers. There are so many children they have provided safety to at a fragile time in their lives, it's just wonderful."

There are about 300 foster carers in the county but at any one time about 400 children need foster care, ranging from just a few hours emergency care, to longer-term arrangements.

Mrs Grossman said ideally the service would like to recruit 100 more people.

She said: "Fostering is a crucial service for children.

"Every local area needs foster carers for all of the children where they can stay safely when they canot live with their own families.

"A lot of people who would be very suitable would often think they couldn't do it, perhaps because they are single or have other children, but that is not the case."

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent should call 01865 375515 to find out more.