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.
UNDERWATER and above-water seaside shots show the best of British beach-life .
WIDE EYED and staring straight down the lens of the camera, this intrigued seal is ready for his close up .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
MASKED intruders look sinister but really they are a gang of urban exploring pranksters .
A ROAD KILL munching Scot has chewed on everything from a dead squirrel to an unlucky crow – all in the name of art .
STOOD side by side next to a busy road, these buildings were once bustling with life .
A little caterpillar fearlessly scampers down a branch and confronts a praying mantis .
PICKING up a tiny tea-pot with its paws, a little red squirrel struggles to prepare its morning tea .
Jostling their quills into the noses of some unlucky cubs, this is the moment two feisty porcupines ALMOST defeat a pride of seven lions .
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
FROM THE world famous Girl with a Pearl Earring painting to a jaguar in the grass, these incredible drawings are created from coloured ballpoint pens .
Say cheese! This cheeky chappy isn’t in the mood to live up to his scary reputation as he is pictured here cracking a killer smile as he goes about his daily business .