Half of sibling groups taken into foster care in Kingston last year were split up, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Of the four groups, comprising 10 children, two were split, Kingston Council told the Action for Children charity.

The charity said children who are separated from their siblings can feel upset, angry and abandoned.

Chief executive Sir Tony Hawkhead said: "For many children, being taken into care can be a confusing and upsetting time.

"Add the distress of being split up from your brother or sister into the mix and the impact will last a lifetime.

"Nobody wants to separate brothers and sisters, but there simply aren’t enough foster carers who can look after for siblings."

Sylvia Chew, Kingston Council's director of children's social care, said: "We will always place sibling groups together if possible.

"Sometimes the needs of individual children will mean that it is not in their best interest to be placed together.

"In such cases we ensure that siblings have regular contact with each other through face-to-face meeting, telephone, email and letters."