Adopters told: Think of siblings.

A MIDLANDS children's charity is calling on people who adopt to think about keeping brothers and sisters together.

Officials from Action for Children Midlands, which runs adoption services across the country, are urging people considering adoption to take on their siblings.

Their message comes during National Adoption Week which runs until Sunday because they believe too many brothers and sisters in care are being torn apart.

Of the 60,900 children currently in care in England, around 4,000 are waiting to be adopted.

Yet there is a shortage of adopters coming forward to provide children with safe and secure homes, especially for siblings who often get separated due to a shortage of adopters willing to adopt more than one child.

The charity has the support of celebrity Toby Anstis, DJ and TV presenter, who was adopted with his twin sister.

He said: "I can't imagine life without my twin sister Kate. We've had such a close bond since birth.

"Fortunately we were kept together when we were adopted. It's a special bond and understanding that has helped us come to terms with being adopted.

"Based on our experience it is so important that sibling groups are kept together when they are adopted." For more information about Action for Children's adoption services, call 0845 355 5533.