SUPERMUM Anne Yates has been honoured by the people of Rishton for her lifetime dedication and commitment to fostering.

Since 1969, Mrs Yates and husband Colin have been foster parents to 32 children, many with severe disabilities, and full-time adoptive parents to three.

Anne, 60, who lives off Woodside Avenue, Rishton, has received a Rishton Award said: "It's what I've always wanted to do. I get so much out of it. I've never thought there was any virtue in it. We've had some wonderful children and they've brought us a lot of pleasure."

After the birth of her two sons, Anne suffered a number of miscarriages, which meant she could have no more children.

Despite their sadness, the couple responded to an appeal for foster parents at their local church and decided to consider the idea.

Their first foster child was Andrew, who came to them at the age of 17 months and became their first adopted child at the age of five. The couple have kept track of all their foster children and they are all remembered at birthdays and Christmas.

District nurse Margaret Boyer nominated Anne for the award after watching her work tirelessly over the years. She said: "When I first met Anne I was amazed by what she did. She really is fantastic."

The couple, who also have seven grandchildren, now foster just Andrea, a part-time university student. Anne said: "In all those years there's never been a time we haven't had foster children.

But Colin is coming up to retirement now so I think he deserves a rest!"

Presenting the award, Rishton Area Council chairman June Butler said: "She will no doubt say that she does not deserve this award. But it is that selfless devotion to others that is the very thing we want to recognise.

"We want to say thank you to Anne for making Rishton a better place for lots of people."