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.
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
A pair of adorable polar bear cubs play-fight with each other in the Alaskan snow .
A couple celebrated tying the knot with a spectacular Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding reception .
AT first glance these images could easily be mistaken for photographs, but they are in-fact real life drawings created using nothing but coloured pencils .
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and for this greedy camel he can't get enough of his morning feed, as he gate crashes his owner's mealtime .
A BEAUTIFUL sight for the eyes and the imagination, these liquid sculptures take shape in many different colours and formations .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .
A lazy otter finds the ideal spot to soak up the sun and sleep off his lunch .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
If you had to scrape the snow off your car this morning or slip-slide your way into work over icy pavements spare a thought for these little critters .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .
IN a galaxy far, far away, this collection of stunning interstellar formations will leave you STARSTRUCK .