The council wants more children to have permanent homes

The figures, released for National Adoption week, show there are 35 children looking for a permanent home.

Plymouth City Council says it follows a new policy to move more youngsters out of temporary care and foster homes into permanent families.

The council is launching a website on Monday to encourage more people to consider adoption.

Andy and Nicki Wheeler, who live in the Woolwell area of the city, have adopted two boys.

They say the rewards are enormous and are urging other families who may be thinking about adopting to contact the council.

Mr and Mrs Wheeler say they have never looked back since they adopted Sacha and Macauley six years ago.

They admit it can be tiring, but say every day is different and it is very good fun.

Mrs Wheeler said: "It's lovely having children because you go back to being a kid yourself, like feeding the ducks."