Being a foster carer is endlessly rewarding but demanding and challenging - it is a labour of love.

In July, Jill, aged 57, and Bob Longland, 62, from Cheltenham, will have been fostering babies for 27 years.

They specialise in looking after newborn babies before they are adopted.

It took a long time for the police checks to be done," said Mrs Longland, who worked as a nursery nurse before becoming a full-time foster carer.

"In the past, everything was cloak and dagger. You didn't meet the birth parents of the people who adopted the baby at all. It probably changed about 15 years ago."

Currently, the retired couple are baby-free, but not for much longer, Mrs Longland hopes. "I'm just waiting for the phone to ring," she said. " I'm feeling very broody at the moment.

"We normally only look after one baby at a time although we have had twins.

"The last baby we looked after was for 13 weeks. She was blind and had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, so she needed a lot of extra care.

"I have three grown-up children and a little grand child of my own and they've all been absolutely brilliant.

It's been good for them, too. "I still get butterflies in my stomach once the baby's arrived. After a couple of days, you find you bond with them.

"It used to be hard when the time came to give the baby up but you get used to it. Some are harder than others.

"It's up to whoever takes the child on after us, whether it's the birth or adoptive parents, if we can stay in touch with them, often we do.

"We've just been to Scotland to visit one of the children we looked after. "There have been times when we've had to have rest because it can be really hard work but we're back on the books now.

"I've got a fantastic health visitor and get great support. Now that Bob's retired he helps a lot more.

"We had a two-year-old girl once and we couldn't cope with the emotions. We stopped looking after the older ones after that."

If you think that you could become a foster carer, but would like more information, have a look at our 'How to Foster' section which can be found from the home page.

There are many different fostering options such as weekend only, long term and respite plus many other schemes, all which offer allowances etc.

Alternatively you can contact us directly.