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.
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 .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
As sunlight cascades through its vibrant stained glass windows, every inch of the Nasir-ol-Mulk Mosque bursts with colour .
In the calm waters of Greenland, gigantic icebergs dwarf everything around them .
A middle spotted woodpecker swoops into her nest and feeds her young in a forest in Trentino, Italy .
SWIMMING in unison, millions of silverside fish dwarf the divers .
GETTING behind the camera, this monkey practices his photography skills on his friends .
Staring death in the face, a little field mouse bravely confronts a hungry cat .
SOARING through the air, this is the moment a hungry tawny owl arrives home with dinner .
THIS ONE of a kind experience brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'a coffee to go' .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
SKIPPING on the spot, an adorable little owl embraces the 'running man' challenge .