CELEBRITY chef Michael Caines MBE has helped to launch Adopt South West, an initiative bringing together adoption agencies across the county to encourage adoption.

The new partnership includes the adoption agencies of Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council and charities Barnardo's and Families for Children.

Mr Caines, a patron of the adoption charity Families for Children and chef at Gidleigh Park, said: 'I am thrilled that these agencies across Devon are joining forces to increase the awareness of how adoption is being made more accessible.

'This will hopefully ensure that the gap between the vast number of children waiting for adoption and those being adopted is bridged.

'As an adopted child myself, I know first-hand how important it is to be part of a loving family.'

Adopt South West is also launching a campaign to break down the myths surrounding adoption.

The campaign will also focus on encouraging people who have not considered adoption before to come forward.

At any one time there are around 4,000 children across the UK waiting to be adopted and within the Devon region there are currently 39 children needing adoptive families.