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.
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
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 .
Soldiers standing guard outside the Woolwich barracks in London - Two terror suspects are under armed guard in separate hospitals in London after a serving soldier was hacked to death in the street .
A curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
An aerial view of flooding in Gloucestershire .
This is the amazing moment two white-tailed kites take an in-flight meal - exchanging prey at 100 foot high in mid air .
Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .
HIDDEN in the middle of the Mojave Desert, a secret oasis awaits intrepid travellers .
SNEAKING slowly into the water, this Bengal tiger plans a vicious attack on three unsuspecting deer .
Struggling home entertainment chain Blockbuster has been slammed for advertising its workers' jobs while they are still in them in order to scare them into working harder .
SLEEPING within touching distance of wild African animals might not be everyone's idea of a relaxing break .
A soap bubble lands on the frosty ground and creates a shimmering snow globe as crystals form around it .