A Catholic adoption service is recruiting would-be adoptive parents in Keighley following improvements to the local adoption service.

Adoption Yorkshire says the speedy matching of children to families throughout the county will reduce waiting times for prospective parents. Adoption Yorkshire, the adoption service of Catholic Care, recently helped established the Yorkshire Adoption Consortium.

Martin Hirst, Catholic Care's chief executive, believes the network of ten social services departments and three voluntary adoption agencies should improve services.

He said: "The benefits of this combined approach are significant for people contemplating adoption and the commitment to a child waiting for a loving home.

"It is real progress for children in care waiting for a family to come forward and for prospective adoptive parents, where there have been delays in being matched with the right child."

Adoption Yorkshire is now seeking adoptive parents for family groups of three children up to five years old, children aged six to eight, and children with disabilities.

The charity is also looking for adoptive parents who can meet the ethnic and cultural needs of young children.

Mr Hirst said: "There are many myths around who can adopt. We welcome people of all and no religion.

"Someone who is 50 years old would be considered for children eight-plus, and we welcome such applications."

An adoption information pack is available from www.adoption-yorkshire.org.uk or by phoning 0808 144 2650.