A WIRRAL foster carer who has looked after more than 200 children over the last 40 years has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Margaret Hawkes, from Bromborough, retired from her job at a council-run Liverpool day nursery in 1975 and began fostering.

Since then she has given 201 children, almost all with severe mental or physical problems, the benefits of a stable environment before helping them find adoptive families.

On being awarded an MBE Margaret, 77, told the Globe: "It's an honour. I think it says a lot for people who foster.

"Fostering is not an easy job, in fact it’s been an emotional 40 years. You are taking people who are desperate need of care."

Two of the most severely handicapped children for whom no other adoptive parents could be found, despite national advertising, were adopted by Margaret.

She is still looking after yet another severely handicapped baby who has considerable health needs, having been born with many defects.

The children have come from a fairly narrow band of society, usually the more deprived areas of Merseyside.

Most have been the taken from difficult backgrounds, others with birth defects for a variety of reasons. Others have profound chronic health problems.

Despite the need for medical equipment to be transported along with the luggage, Margaret has treated the children to holidays abroad and in the family bungalow on the beach in Cumbria.

Looking back on her care career, Margaret said: "When I worked at the nursery we cared for children from deprived backgrounds.

"I started bringing children home with me when the young mums wanted a night out. I felt that if the children knew me it was better than handing them over to a stranger.

"It’s been an absolute privilege to help these children over the years and to continue to do so.

"How many old women like me can look after little ones?”