Bradford Council is calling on people to offer permanent homes to the 60 children on its adoption list.

The Adoption and Fostering Unit, based in Saltaire Road, Shipley, has found permanent homes for 40 children this year but is still trying to place 60 youngsters aged from about eight months to six-years-old.

A third of those children are of Afro-Caribbean, Asian or mixed-race origin, but the district is suffering from a shortage of suitable parents of mixed heritage background.

The Council's adoption and fostering unit recruitment and promotions officer, Ali Baker, said: "People think because they are from an ethnic minority they may be ruled out, but it is really important for us to get the right parentage and heritage. A child's culture and heritage are important and should not be cast aside.

"People seem to think that to adopt, they have to be white, middle class, married and own their own home, but this is not the case. A lot of single people think they cannot adopt but they make very good adoptive parents."

After initial enquiries, prospective parents are put through a vigorous vetting process before they are approved for adoption. If approved they then have to wait to be matched with a child or children, which can take at least six months.

Some of the children on the current adoption list live in residential homes but the majority live with foster parents. "Foster carers do a brilliant job and sometimes it is in the child's best interests to be in long-term fostering," said Mrs Baker.

"But other children need the nurturing that an adoptive family can provide. It is a fresh start for them. If anyone has ever thought about adoption, now is the time to come and get some more information. It is worth a brief conversation to see if this is right for you."

To celebrate the start of National Adoption Week, the unit displayed adopted children's work featuring a star for each of the 60 children still waiting to be placed. Among their comments were: "I forget I'm adopted and I feel normal", "When you are adopted you have a laugh and you find new friends", and "You get lots of hugs and kisses."

The recruitment line is on (01274) 434331.