PEOPLE thinking about adoption are invited to find out more from Lancashire County Council on Tuesday, March 7.

A special event is to be held at County Hall, on Fishergate in Preston, from 6pm to 7.30pm, and there is no need to book.

Free parking is available on the Arthur Street car park, next to County Hall, and the Pitt Street entrance is accessible for disabled visitors.

The council is focusing on two different types of adoption so that more babies and young children can go to live with their permanent family quicker.

Best for Baby (concurrent placements) places babies and young children aged up to two with foster carers who may go on to give them a permanent home.

The Fostering-for-Adoption scheme, meanwhile, is for children with no realistic prospect of a return to their birth family.

"We're looking for people from all backgrounds to offer a permanent home and family to children who are not able to live with their birth family," said county councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools.

"What matters to us are your personal qualities and that you are able to provide a loving home where you can support and look after a child throughout their childhood and beyond."

To adopt, you must be over 21 and live in Lancashire or close by, whatever your race, gender, sexuality, living arrangements, age or employment status.

For more, visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/adoption or call the adoption team for an informal chat on 0800-1951183.