VULNERABLE teenagers face the "devastating" experience of being moved away from family, friends and schools in Wyre Forest due to an acute shortage of foster carers in the district.

Worcestershire County Council has only three-quarters of the carers it needs and is appealing for people to come forward to help on a long or short-term basis.

"Teenagers in particular need people to stick with them through the adolescent traumas of life," said Pam Crawley, from the county's fostering and adoption recruitment and training team.

"It's difficult to move young people out of Kidderminster because it's disruptive for their social life and their education. We're aiming to have enough carers to have a choice of placements to best meet each child's needs."

Meanwhile a couple who have fostered 60 children over the last 13 years have said they would "recommend it to anybody."

Shirley and Eddie Nunn, of Park Crescent, Stourport, decided to foster after their three children got married and left home. "I was used to having children around," said Mrs Nunn.

But she stressed that foster parents can never hope to be substitutes for children's real parents. "You're their friend, someone to help and show them TLC."

Since first fostering "Pam", now in her late twenties and with a family and successful career, the Nunns have taken in teenagers for anything from a few weeks to five-and-a-half years.

Mrs Nunn said: "Some children have had terrible lives while others have just come when their parents have been ill. It's a challenging job but when you see these kids get married and have families of their own, it's very rewarding."

She added: "A lot of people think they aren't suitable to be a foster carer but you just have to like children, have a spare bedroom and lots of patience."

For further information on fostering call 0800 028 2158.