Actress Jenny Agutter -- who shot to fame after starring in the locally-filmed Railway Children movie 30 years ago -- is visiting the region next week.

She will be in Shipley on Thursday to officially open Bradford council's new adoption and fostering unit.

Before the ceremony, the Platform Four Theatre Company will perform a short play for an invited audience of foster carers, adoptive parents, councillors and business owners.

Jenny -- who played Roberta in the classic 1970s movie, shot on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway -- supports a number of charities and is vice-president of NCH Action for Children, which provides accommodation and other help for homeless youngsters.

Worth Valley councillor Kris Hopkins, the council's executive member for health and housing, says: "We are very grateful to Jenny Agutter for taking time out from her hectic filming schedule to officially open our new unit. This shows her commitment to children and I am sure it will make the day extra special for the foster parents and adoptive parents who attend.

"The adoption and fostering unit has enhanced its work to ensure it does the best for children in our care, hence the award last month of a charter mark.

"There is a constant demand for both adopters and foster carers, particularly for older children, sibling groups and Asian and Asian/white families.

"We currently have 175 households fostering 324 children, but we need another 30 foster and 50 adoptive families."

The Aire Building -- which houses the new unit -- is also home to the social services shared care scheme, which has 380 carers providing short breaks for disabled children and adults. It too is seeking more volunteers.

Anyone interested in becoming an adopter or foster carer should contact the service advisor on 01274 754331.