A WIRRAL fostercarer who has helped improve the lives of more than 100 children has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Michael Routledge, from Woodchurch, has looked after youngsters from as far away as China, Zimbabwe, Iran and Vietnam since becoming a full-time carer in 1992 and learned he was to receive the honour last week.

Michael, 54, who owned his own business before devoting time to helping children told the Globe this afternoon: "I’'m shocked and still coming to terms with it.

“To be recognised for helping to improve children’s lives is an amazing achievement.

"One of the children I'm currently looking after said it wasn't fair that only celebrities usually get awards like this, when it should be more people like me.

“Admittedly, when I saw the letter on the mat I thought it was a tax rebate, but was really shocked when I opened it.”

Michael who has been married to Brenda, a recently-qualified mental health nurse, for 33 years, continued: "I've been looking after kids for 23 years At the moment, I’m looking after two.

“One of them, Kirsty, is 18 and came to us when she was 12 and was just about to be excluded from school from mainstream school. She was eventually excluded and went to a different school.

“She went to Hilbre High School and went on to get 11 GCSEs, grade A to C and four A-Levels, including two distinctions and is off to university. I'm proud to have been able to play my part in her development.

"We took in a lad from Zimbabwe, and were able to introduce him to members of the Zimbabwian community here.

“We even had a lad from Erythrea in Africa, which gave us a few cultural challenges, and had to learn the language. We eventually found him an Erythrean foster carer.

"It's foster care fortnight and Wirral needs more foster carers at the moment.

"There's a shortfall of about 40. Hopefully my story will encourage people to think about doing it."