One of Leigh's longest serving foster couples retire after 37 years

Chris and Jim Perry began fostering after finding out they were unable to have any more children of their own.

The loving couple, who have two sons aged 40 and 37, also have an adopted daughter, Tanya.

Mrs Perry, aged 65, of Speakman Avenue, Leigh, said: "I was quite poorly after the birth of my second son and was advised not to have any more children, but I wanted more. So when my son was three and a half years old, that's when we looked into fostering."

As foster carers, Mr and Mrs Perry looked after children of all ages from birth to 14 years old and from many different backgrounds.

Mrs Perry said: "It is the satisfaction that you get from the children and also working with the parents as well. The parents have been lovely.

"We are still in contact with many of the children who we have fostered and we keep in contact with them until they are ready to go it alone really."

Mrs Perry said: "At first I did find it hard when the children had to move on, but you just have to look at it as a job because if you don't it is crucifying.

"I would advise people to foster. It's helping the kids and the parents out.

"There have been hard times — we've had lots of children from different backgrounds, but we get them through it with a lot of love and you have just got to learn from the children as well.

"If it wasn't for our ages we would keep going, but we are at retiring age now so we have decided to have a bit of time to ourselves."

Their support worker, Angela Coombes, said she will be sad to see Mr and Mrs Perry leave. She said: “Chris and Jim have done so much for us and for the children who have been in their care – we will miss them greatly, but I’m sure we’ll stay in touch.”

Meanwhile the Mayor of Wigan Borough, Councillor Susan Loudon, said: “It was an honour to meet such a lovely couple and their family.

"Chris and Jim have helped give so many children the opportunity for a better life and I can’t thank them enough for that.”