A book of poetry written by a Medway teenager has been published to inspire other youngsters living in foster care.

Lewis Lecras, 17, lives with a foster family in Rainham. Over the next couple of weeks he is helping to raise awareness of living in care as part of a series of events marking Foster Care Fortnight.

His poems, written over the past seven years are to be distributed to children attending a party on the terraces of the Houses of Parliament in July.

The book called Belongings is dedicated to Lewis’ foster carers David and Sharon Ricketts, to his grandparents and book editor Elaine Holliday.

Lewis said:”I am a happy person who loves writing poetry. I live on a bumpy road on a hill in the middle of nowhere.

"In the future I would like to do many things, like writing more poems and maybe a story book for children.

“I would also like to become a foster carer so that I can help other young people to be happy.”

Bridget McDonagh, manager at the Rainham Integrated Services Programe (ISP) independent foster care centre, said:

"We are extremely proud of Lewis who has really thrived in foster care and hopes to work with children in a nursery.

“His poetry is very personal and very private, as you can imagine but it is wonderful that he has reached a point when he is ready to have it published to inspire others.”