ALWAYS a privilege and never a chore.

That’s how a couple have described fostering scores of children over the course of more than four decades.

Now Molly and Bill Morris, who live in Wheatley, have both been made MBEs for their life’s work.

The couple have been married for nearly 60 years and during most of that time have welcomed children of all ages and backgrounds into their home through Oxfordshire County Council’s fostering and adoption service.

Mrs Morris, 79, said: “It is totally overwhelming to have been given this honour.

“As far as we are concerned the fostering we have done for 42 years is a privilege and not a chore.”

The Morrises admit they haven’t the faintest idea how many children they have fostered over the years, but said it is “probably hundreds”.

But each child, they say, is an individual and not a number.

“We had never considered fostering when we first got married and we had four young, lively children,” Mrs Morris said.

“But then we took care of a lovely three-year-old boy while his family were in hospital. When he was gone the children missed him and we did too so we decided to start fostering.”

Over the years children have come to their home from all backgrounds and for all sorts of reasons. At one point there were nine children living in their house.

Nowadays the couple, who don’t know who nominated them for the honour, still take children in over the weekends to help other foster parents out, but they no longer foster children themselves because of their advancing years.

Mrs Morris said: “I can remember most of the children who have lived here over the years.

“Some of them we still consider to be part of the family and there has always been enough love to go around.

“I just wish that more people would foster children.”

County council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “This is great recognition of all the Morrises’ hard work for the many children they have fostered.

“It shows their dedication to providing a good life.”