NEARLY of a third of adopted children in Cumbria were placed with LGBT families last year, the county council has said.

Cumbria County Council revealed 43 children were matched with adoptive parents last year.

The authority was keen to stress it welcomes adopters regardless of age, marital status, gender, sexuality, disability or employment status.

The figures were revealed as the council launched its biggest ever adoption campaign in the hope of encouraging more people in the county to consider adopting and find out more first-hand.

Cllr Anne Burns, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services, said: “Our adoption service want the very best for our children and adopters, and work tirelessly to match children with the right forever families."

“Over the last 5 years, we have found permanent families for 270 local children who needed the security and love that adoptive parents provide.

For more see www.cumbria.gov.uk/adoption.