There will be no shortage of Mother's Day cards at Julie Bedford's home tomorrow.

The 46-year-old and husband Paul, 45, have been fostering for eight years and during that time they have cared for 25 children.

Their house in Kidlington is presently home to eight children.

Mrs Bedford, who has three daughters of her own -- Rebecca, 28, Sarah, 17, and Emily, 14 -- got involved with fostering through a friend.

She has since gone on to adopt two of her foster children -- Tamara, eight, and Daniel, six.

She is still a regular foster parent for Oxfordshire County Council's social services department and is presently fostering three children.

"I love children and had helped out with my friend's fostering, so she said I should get involved too," said Mrs Bedford.

"My three girls have grown up with foster children and, after fostering Tamara and Daniel since the start, Paul and I adopted them too.

"It's often hectic in the house, and at one time I was emergency fostering, which meant children coming in sometimes in the middle of the night.

"But I like all the activity and I especially like looking after babies," she added.

"Paul is a great dad too and helps out a lot.

"I usually get quite a few cards on Mother's Day and sometimes flowers and chocolates too. Paul also does very well on Father's Day."

The family of 10 will be celebrating Mothering Sunday and Emily's 15th birthday with lunch at a restaurant.

"I would recommend fostering to anyone who loves children," said Mrs Bedford.

"My children have loved growing up with foster children and I would be lost without them all.

"The service is crying out for foster parents at the moment and it's a fun and rewarding thing to do."