More than a third of people believe that lesbian and gay couples and single people should not be allowed to adopt, according to a survey published by charity Action for Children.

The survey of 1000 adults found that more than eight in 10 who thought that gay couples or single people shouldn’t be allowed to adopt said that it was because they thought that children need both a male and female role model.  Over three quarters felt it would lead to the breakdown of the traditional family and would not be in the best interests of the child.

The charity said the survey  revealed "strongly ingrained attitudes" among sections of the public about who should and should not be able to adopt.

Further information is available on the Action for Children website.