A NEW website has been launched for people looking to adopt in the Black Country.

Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils are coming together to create a new regional adoption agency, adoption@heart.

The launch of the website, which is jam packed with useful information for prospective adopters, is the first part of the process.

To coincide with the launch, an event will be held at intu Merry Hill on Monday (March 19), where people will be able to find out more about adoption.

The event starts at 6pm and will take place in The Bold Room at the shopping centre which is located on the upper mall, near Sports Direct.

Although the four authorities have worked together for more than 10 years to deliver some adoption services, it is hoped the new agency will revolutionise the way adoption services are delivered across the Black Country.

It will combine existing services of each council to speed up the adoption process and reduce the amount of time it takes to find permanent families for looked after children.

Councillor Anne Millward, Dudley's cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We’re in the process of developing our regional adoption agency and we are really excited about the prospects it brings.

“The launch of the new website is the first step in us providing a regional adoption agency in the Black Country.

"We hope this approach will streamline the adoption process and increase the number of children being matched with people wanting to adopt."

For more details, or to confirm attendance at the Brierley Hill event, prospective adopters should call the free phone adoption helpline on 0800 0730597 or visit www.adoptionheart.org.uk and click the 'register for event' tab on the right-hand side.