Single-mum Linda Whitehead was busy enough with three children - then she decided to foster three more.

Ms Whitehead, of Thurnby Lodge, said she enjoys seeing the children she fosters grow in confidence.

She was speaking during National Foster Care Fortnight, which aims to recruit more carers. Twenty-five children are awaiting foster homes in Leicester.

Linda became a foster parent last year and has never looked back. She is mum to Rachel, 16, Hayley, 15, and Maegan, six, and foster mum to Lee, 11, Louis, nine, and Sophie, three.

Lee said: "It was weird when I first became a foster child. The people I met were strangers and I felt intimidated. Now it's great. I have got a good social life and I go to a boys' club.

"I have got my brother with me. It's nice to be with him.
"I'm doing well at school now. I'm in the top set for maths and am going up a set for English.
"I want to be a footballer. Being fostered has made me feel more confident. I thought foster care would be really bad, but I've got the best foster carer in Leicestershire."

Linda said: "I saw a campaign in the Leicester Mercury newspaper and some foster carers talked me into it.
"When the kids first come, they are down because of what has happened to them, but they grow in confidence and improve academically. It is so good to see that."

Fostering and adoption service spokesman Paul Morley said: "All children in foster care are individuals and need the right carer to help them get the best out of life. "Coming into care can be a terrifying experience. We're lucky to have around 200 foster families who offer children loving homes and help them to feel happier and more confident.

"I hope Linda and Lee's story encourages people to come forward. Fostering can be extremely rewarding."