The number of children in care in Windsor and Maidenhead has fallen slightly over the past year, bucking the national trend - but in Slough it has risen.

Department for Education figures show that at the end of March, 107 children were being looked after by the Royal Borough.

That is down from 109 last year - a fall of two per cent.

But in and around Slough 206 children were being looked after by the borough council - up from 190 last year, a rise of eight per cent and the biggest increase in four years.

Across England, the number of children in care has seen the biggest year-on-year increase in a decade, rising by four per cent from 72,600 last year, to 75,400 this year.

A spokesperson for the NSPCC said: "Taking children into care is never an easy decision. It is therefore vital that local authorities have the resources to work effectively with families to manage any risk so children can remain safely with their families.

"Once in care, local authorities must also be able to support these children through what can be a tumultuous experience to ensure they have the best possible outcomes.”

The number of children being adopted in Slough has also risen.

In 2017 to 2018, 13 children were adopted from care, up from 11 the previous year.

Children can enter care for a variety of reasons, including at the request of parents if they are unable to take care of the child themselves.

Unaccompanied asylum seekers and children at significant risk of harm are also placed in care.

A looked-after child could live with foster parents or in a children's home and the local authority has responsibility for their welfare, education and emotional wellbeing.

Children leave care automatically at 18, but the local council is required to provide support until they are 25.