Baaf Adoption and Fostering may advertise children on a website.

The move is intended to increase the number of matches between children and permanent parents. Currently one in four children up for adoption do not receive a single enquiry.

But the charity is considering how it can intervene to prevent paedophiles misusing the pictures or accessing contact details.

Chief executive Felicity Collier said: "It is a question of balancing the need to protect children against the need to attract more adopters."

John Carr, internet adviser at children's charity NCH, said: "If reasonable precautions are taken and details leading to the whereabouts of the child are not with the picture I don't see why children should not be put on the web."

l Views should be sent to www.baaf. org.uk/NAW/FF4C