The Vale of Glamorgan Council are urging residents to consider fostering a child due to a drop in enquiries to do so.

They said: "Enquiries for prospective foster carers has dropped by 51% whilst children's referrals has increased by 45%.

"We need more foster families to support our vulnerable children.

"Get in touch for more info on long term, respite and emergency fostering.

"Foster carers who can remain focused on the needs of the child or children in their care at the most stressful times in any child's life.

"Children who need to be looked after come from different backgrounds and this needs to be reflected in the foster carers who are available to us.

"Our aim in the Vale of Glamorgan is to make sure that all foster children are looked after in an appropriate environment to their needs and due to our ongoing recruitment campaign we are well on the way of being able to match children of all ages to appropriately skilled foster carers."