More than 100 children have been brought up by Joan Rhodes during her time as a foster carer.

They have loved having her as a parent and not one of them has gone off the rails in later life.

That is a tribute to Joan and also to the system of foster care, which at its best provides a real family atmosphere for children who do not have their natural parents around to help.

She is now an old-age pensioner and could well be forgiven for having a well-earned rest.

But at 65 she intends to carry on and there will be no shortage of children for her to look after.

Sadly, there are not enough people like Joan in Sussex who are willing to put in the time and trouble needed to foster children.

It can be extremely rewarding but Joan and other carers know from experience that not everything goes smoothly with children who may bring along all their troubles to a new home.

What she has done is to give them a good start in life and the confidence to make their way in the world as young adults.

Both county councils and Brighton and Hove City Council need more carers, even if they take one or two children into their families rather than a hundred.