MORE foster parents are needed in Oxfordshire to prevent a "mounting crisis" after the number of children in care rose to more than 600.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, Oxfordshire County Council, a national fostering agency and current foster parents have all called on more potential carers to come forward.

Lee Mackie, whose son Jason was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 while serving with the Royal Marines, said fostering three babies since 2013 was the best thing she had ever done and urged others to do the same.

It comes as the number of children in care rose to 609 at the end of March, the highest level in at least five years.

Just 423 were able to be placed in foster care by the end of March due to a lack of carers.

Mr Smith said: "Foster carers do an incredibly important job.

"I have seen how they really do help change for the better the lives of children who have been through tough times emotionally.

"It is vital for them, and our wider community, that more of the people suited to this demanding but rewarding role come forward.

"Without them there will be a mounting crisis for children who need care so much."

Oxfordshire County Council wants more people to foster so more children can be placed in loving homes close to where they are originally from.

Mrs Mackie, from Bampton, West Oxfordshire, signed up as a foster carer four years after Jason, 21, died when the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by an explosive device in Helmand Province.

The 60-year-old said: "It makes me really sad to think there are more children in care.

"We need people out there who have a caring nature to come forward.

"I would say go along to open days, talk to other foster parents because more children need fostering.

"It is the best thing that I have ever done in my life.

"To see these little broken-winged children coming into care and moving on to better things is so amazing."

Ms Mackie said she felt Jason had guided her and that she had also been supported by her other sons Richard, 33, and Alistair, 30.

She said: "I still feel very strongly that the whole thing was under the guidance of Jason.

"He has had a hand in the children that have been placed with me.

"My other sons were worried at the beginning that I might be the mad woman on the corner with 40 kids.

"But I know my limitations and I know there are wonderful people out there who need to adopt children.

"It has done my confidence a lot of good because the first two babies I fostered have moved on to amazing adoptive families."

In March 2011 there were 427 children in care and in March last year there were 527, but the figure rose by almost 100 in the past 12 months.

The county has 343 foster carers, up from 315 in March last year but still not enough to look after all children.

It means 113 children are placed with foster carers from outside agencies whilst another 186 have no foster placement at all.

County council cabinet member for children, education and families Melinda Tilley said: "We need to increase the number of Oxfordshire foster carers so we can provide greater choice of placement for vulnerable children within the county and enable more of our children to stay closer to home.

"Anyone can potentially become a foster carer, you just need a big heart and a safe and loving home to offer.

"There are huge rewards in being able to make a difference to a young person's life.

"The council also offers excellent training and support, as well as financial allowances."

To find out more about fostering visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@oxfordshire.gov.uk or phone 0800 7835724.