A COUPLE have been made MBEs in the Queen's birthday honours for dedicating their lives to foster care.

Edward and Edna Pratt, from Leigh, have been the perfect foster parents to more than 200 foster children for nearly 35 years.

Edward, 62, said: “We are very proud and very humbled to be given this honour.

“I’ve got grey hair now but fostering children definitely keeps you young.

“It’s just a shame that there are still children in need of care now and not at home with their parents but that’s life.

“It would be good to ban booze and drugs as that is the cause of a lot of problems.”

The couple have been fostering children for Southend and Barnet councils.

Others named in the Birthday honours...

OBE

  • Anthony John Singleton, from Shoebury, Chief operating officer Government Digital Service, Cabinet Office. For services to the Provision and Improvement of Digital Public Services

MBE

  • Jonathan Ullmer – Westcliff Principal CATS Canterbury and director of education, Cambridge Education Group For services to Education
  • Mrs Margaret Brown – Southend Higher executive officer, work services directorate, Department for Work and Pensions For services to unemployed people and to the Samaritan.
  • British Empire Medal, Mrs Susan Elizabeth Stamp – South Ockendon Primary school teacher and volunteer, Bonnygate Primary School, Ockendon For services to Education