A family of foster carers are facing bankruptcy and homelessness after they signed up to a Government scheme to renovate their house to be used for disabled children's short breaks. Two years ago the Waite family received a grant from Leicestershire County Council to transform their home into a respite centre for severely disabled foster children. But after a dispute arose with the builder over the £75,000 extension to their three bedroom house in Leicestershire, Mark Waite, 44, and his wife Clair, 39, now face losing everything they have worked for. The couple, who represent the third generation in a 100-year family tradition of fostering disabled children, have had to sell all their furniture and clothes on ebay to pay solicitor's fees and say they now face total ruin. They say the council has "left them out in the cold" over the legal wrangle, leaving them responsible for tens of thousands of pounds of debt which will almost certainly result in them ending up on the streets with their two children.
This cheeky chappie is getting into all kinds of monkey business as he enjoys cooling off on a scorching hot day .
A carefree bear cub reclines in the water with his feet raised in the air .
Surveying its surroundings, a tiny harvest mouse climbs the stem of a dandelion .
In the calm waters of Greenland, gigantic icebergs dwarf everything around them .
GIANT garden sculptures don't beat about the bush .
An Italian photographer travelled to Chile where he visited several star-gazing sites, home to some of the world's most advanced telescopes, located in the spectacular setting of the Atacama desert .
LEAF-ing much to the imagination, this camera trickery is blooming marvellous .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
LEAPING through the air this determined little mouse is on a mission for food .
A curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
Scurrying along the branch of a tree, a little squirrel pushes a pram packed full of Easter treats .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .