LOOKING after more than 90 children has won veteran foster carer Doreen Sillman an MBE.

Mrs Sillman, 74, from Parsons Mead has fostered dozens of youngsters in a career that started 25 years ago. And she and her husband Peter, 78, are still "addicted" to helping care for young people some with severe learning and physical disabilities.

She said: "I'm 74 but feel 21. Looking after young people keeps me young.

"I'm addicted to fostering. It is so enjoyable and rewarding helping put children on the right path in life.

"Many of my 'children' still come back to see me after all these years and I always give them a meal.

"My MBE came as a surprise. It is a great honour and I have accepted it on behalf of all foster carers because I don't like being singled out. In 25 years I have fostered more than 90 children maybe more. I've lost count.

My next foster child will be a 15 year-old girl."

For six years Mrs Sillman and her husband cared for a severely disabled boy who's now 29, and he still comes to visit them with his carers.

She said: "Caring for disabled young people is very demanding but its so satisfying and worthwhile."

Mrs Sillman has been supported by her husband but since an illness he has not played such an active role, although she added: "He still gives me valuable support. We work as a team."

As chairman of the Oxfordshire Foster Care Association Mrs Sillman is deeply involved in recruitment drives and meets and talks to many groups ranging from the police, fire and ambulance services and soldiers and their families.

Mrs Sillman was born in Summertown, Oxford, and her work with children began when she started work as a teacher at St Barnabus Nursery School in Jericho. But when she married she left her job to devote herself to home and family.

She said: "We had three children and when the last left home I decided that I wanted to put all our experience to good use so we decided we would foster children who have not had such a good start in life as our own children. We have enjoyed our life as foster parents and I recommend it.

"You need a lot of patience, love, warmth, energy and a sense of humour.

It's hard work but the satisfaction of seeing young people develop is enormous and it keeps you active and young."

In 2005 the couple had several days worry after their son David and his wife Hilary could not be contacted in Cancun, Mexico, after Hurricane Wilma hit.

Rosalie James from Borough Walk in Abingdon, is another foster carer and friend of Mrs Sillman. She said: "Doreen has lots of energy for her age and is involved in the community recruiting new people into fostering. She deserves her award which is a great tribute in recognition of all her commitment to fostering. Many young people have cause to be thankful to Doreen."