FOSTER carers are being sought in South Craven to help provide homes for young asylum applicants.

The appeal has been issued by Fostering North Yorkshire (FNY), part of the county council.

It is working with other local authorities to find homes for unaccompanied under-18s arriving in Britain, with no relatives in this country.

Seventeen have arrived in North Yorkshire so far and more are expected over the next three years.

"The young people are likely to have very few belongings and little grasp of the English language," said County Councillor Janet Sanderson, executive member for children's services.

"Their foster carers need to be welcoming, open to learning about new cultures and able to nurture and encourage children to settle into life in the UK.

"One of the young people we have settled arrived in this country by boat and truck after his older sister had saved up to pay for his passage from a refugee camp in Libya.

"He didn't see a future for himself in his own country – he was worried he would suffer government persecution for his religious beliefs."

FNY also has an ongoing need for foster carers to look after local youngsters.

Fosterers receive a tax-free allowance for each child, support and access to specialist services when needed.

For more details, visit northyorks.gov.uk/fostering or call 01609 534654.