Adult volunteers are needed to befriend young people living in care.

Wiltshire Council wants to increase its independent visitor scheme from 20 to about 30 volunteers.

Each volunteer is matched with a young person with whom they meet regularly throughout the time the young person is in foster or residential care.

Would-be volunteers have to be willing to make a long-term commitment to meet a young person once or twice a month for a couple of hours to go for a drink, chat or take part in some leisure or sporting activity.

They would also be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.

The volunteers receive training, on-going support and can claim relevant expenses.

Scheme manager Sheila Lupton said: “We want to hear from people who are fun and energetic but who also have a mature and reliable side to their personality.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should call Sheila Lupton on 01373 859485.