Mrs Pickering has looked after the children on her own

Muriel Pickering began fostering children 15 years ago at her home in Holyhead.

She started fostering with her husband, and decided to carry on herself after he died suddenly.

Her own children are parents themselves now, but her home is still filled with young people who need her help.

Mrs Pickering is currently fostering her 210th charge, and said she would urge other people to consider it themselves.

"I came from a very large family and I have always had children around me," she said.

"I have got hundreds of cousins so there were always lots of children.

"The first child I looked after was a baby who stayed with me for about four to six months," she said.

I've done it all on my own and I know it can be done Muriel Pickering

The length of stay of each child has varied considerably - some stay for just a few nights, others remain with her for years.

"The longest was for eight years," she said. "She left about four years ago.

"She became a huge part of my family. My children see her as their little sister and she has told my daughter she thinks of her as her sister."

Many of the children who have stayed with Mrs Pickering still live in Holyhead and she often sees them around the town.

What advice would she give prospective foster parents?

"If you like working with children, you have got the time and you have got a spare bedroom, please contact your nearest social services department.

"I've done it all on my own and I know it can be done," she said.

There is somebody at the end of the phone 24 hours a day Muriel Pickering

"I have done quite a lot of emergency caring," she explained.

She said she had a lot of support from the social services with the children in her care.

"Any problem, I pick the phone up and talk to them. There is somebody at the end of the phone 24 hours a day.

"And the foster carers themselves provide support for each other.