Nottinghamshire sees gay adoption rates rise Published duration 20 May 2014

image caption Authorities said there were still myths around gay people adopting children

The proportion of children adopted by gay couples in Nottinghamshire is well above the national average, according to new figures.

Last year, one in nine children was placed in a same-sex household, the county council said.

Government figures show the national average is one in 15 and in Derbyshire it is one in 20.

Both the authority and gay couples said it was important to dispel old myths about who could adopt.

There are more than 800 children in care in Nottinghamshire. Last year, 92 adoption orders were granted, compared with 40 in the previous year.

Strategy review

Kate Foale, from the county council, said: "We have had a really proactive campaign to bust the kind of myth that includes lesbian and gay couples can't adopt, which is rubbish.

"We want enquiries from parents, single people who can adopt, regardless of their sexual orientation."

Mandy and Louise from Rushcliffe, who adopted a brother and sister 18 months ago, said the results should encourage those considering it.

"If they get the opportunity, they should go and see some children with a same sex couple and just see their is the love and the warmth there - from the children, from the parents, they are just happy and as comfortable with it as we are," they said.

Derbyshire County Council said it was reviewing its same-sex adoption recruitment strategy to boost take up.