RENOWNED children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson was guest of honour at Brighton and Hove City Council’s first fostering celebration party.

Dame Jacqueline’s books include the hugely popular Tracey Beaker series about a youngster in a foster home.

She attended the event organised to thank the council’s foster carers

Dame Jacqueline, pictured, said: “Since writing my first book about Tracy Beaker I’ve had such a privilege to meet some many wonderful foster children and foster carers. Fostering is such a powerful and wonderful movement to change people’s lives.”

It was part of Fostering Fortnight, which runs from May 13 to 26.

Council fostering manager Clare Smith said: “It was absolutely wonderful of Dame Jacqueline to come to our event. Her publishing company also donated books for us, so that every fostering household could go home with one.”

Find out more about fostering by emailing fostering@brighton-hove.gov.uk