For many couples who suffer the heartbreak of discovering they cannot have a child of their own, adoption is the perfect solution.

Here one couple tell their story - and hope it will encourage others to follow in their footsteps and provide a loving home for a child.

Bev and Dave, from Dordon, decided to adopt a child three years ago after exploring every other way of starting a family.

The couple were desperate to have children but after trying all kinds of fertility schemes and being unsuccessful they decided to adopt.

After completing each stage of the process Bev and Dave adopted Liam, a 21-month-old boy, now aged five. Two years later they decided to adopt another child, Stephen, then aged nine months.

"The process is very, very thorough," said Dave.
"It is quite drawn out but it's understandable because the council obviously needs to check every applicant carefully."

Liam has had difficulties since he was a few months old, something that Bev and Dave have learned to cope with.

"It can be difficult at times but he is a lovely, bright, happy lad, he just finds it hard understanding things.
"We were a bit concerned that Liam wouldn't take to Stephen when we adopted him but although it was difficult at first, Liam soon got used to sharing our attention. It was no different to a situation between biological siblings. They're best mates as well as brothers."

Dave said: "I wouldn't really say we're worried about telling them that they are adopted.
"Yes, it is an important issue, but not one that we worry about. We regularly send letters to the boys' birth parents, along with photographs."

Bev added: "Our family have been fantastic, they love the boys. My parents also live in Dordon and my mum loves looking after the kids."

Pru Schleutker, an adoption social worker for Warwickshire County Council, stressed the importance of other family members when a couple decide to adopt.
"People also worry about any emotional attachments older children may have already developed, or that an older child will not bond with new parents," she explained.

But, she said, maintaining contact with natural parents is also important.
"This is something we try to encourage now. Obviously there are anonymity rules that have to be adhered to, but keeping contact between adoptive and natural parents often makes it easier for the child in later life."

At the moment, said Pru, Warwickshire is desperate for people to adopt older children and sibling groups.

"Warwickshire is particularly short of adoptive parents who will consider groups of brothers and sisters," she said.

If you are interested in adopting a child you should contact Brenda Vincent at Warwickshire County Council's adoption service on 01926 413313, or Staffordshire County Council's adoption service on 0800 169 2061.