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.
Raising his arms above his head and lying flat on his back, a polar bear stretches as he sprawls out across the ice .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
A couple celebrated tying the knot with a spectacular Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding reception .
A young otter wades through a lake with his eyes set on an older rival’s fish .
THE CRAZE for mimicking the video game Streetfighter has spread to the streets of London .
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MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
This brave Hyena finally catches his pray among the thousands of flamingos, Lake Nakuru, Kenya - OUTNUMBERED among thousands of flamingos, this bold hyena is not put off from hunting for a morning snack .