Some children were strapped into child car seats

Care Commission inspectors made the discovery after arriving unannounced at Elizabeth D'Arcy's home two weeks ago.

Mrs D'Arcy was allowed to care for no more than three pre-school age children at any one time but was found looking after 10.

Inspectors moved in after receiving a tip-off from a parent.

They found Mrs D'Arcy was unable to remember the names of two of the children and got the name of a third wrong.

'Totally Unacceptable'

Four were strapped into car seats, the house was cold and there was only a small area of clear floor space where children could move around.

The Care Commission said subsequent enquiries had provided evidence that Mrs D'Arcy cared for as many as 15 children at a time on frequent occasions.

The regulator's emergency request for a sheriff to cancel her registration was uncontested.

Ronnie Hill, director of children's services regulation, said: "It was simply not possible for Mrs D'Arcy to give the necessary care and attention to this number of children.