A teenager has won a national award for helping to improve the lives of children fostered by her parents.

Alanna Moore's parents, Lynne and Michael, have been fostering children in the Hillingdon borough for many years.

The Fostering Network, a national charity, said the 17-year-old had played an important role in supporting them and helping to make a positive difference to the lives of the children and young people who have lived with her family.

Alanna said: “I was born into a family that fosters, and to me it's my life – it's normal. I'm really pleased to win the award. I would say to anyone who has their own family but is interested in fostering to find out if it would suit them."

The mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Catherine Dann, presented Alanna with a framed certificate at a ceremony in the mayor's parlour.

Councillor Dann said: "Fostering is all about family, but not many people understand the role that sons and daughters of foster carers play in helping looked after children feel loved, safe and secure.

"We would like to thank Alanna for the support that she has shown her parents and for welcoming the children who have come into her home."

The council offers 24-hour support, specialist training and an allowance starting at £334 per week to people willing to foster children and teenagers.

The authority is calling for more prospective carers to come forward, particularly those from black and Asian communities and those able to foster teenagers and sibling groups.

For more information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering