Child asylum seeker tells of escape to UK

A man who fled Afghanistan at the age of 15 has spoken of how he cried with sadness for the family he had to leave behind.

Bilal was initially cared for by a British foster family and now has accommodation of his own while he continues to seek asylum in the UK.

His story highlights the plight of a growing number of children who have travelled alone to Britain.

Figures obtained by the BBC England data unit show the number of asylum-seeking children being cared for by local councils has risen by nearly two thirds in a year.