A COUPLE who have been fostering for 55 years were surprised with children from the past at their diamond wedding anniversary.

Christine, 80, and Peter Sparkes, 82, began fostering children in 1969 when they were aged 21 and 22.

More than 50 years later the couple from Poole are still caring for children in the area and were surprised with a visit during their party on October 6.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Christine.

“I cried when I saw my son, who I've not seen for two years, and when I saw some of the children, two of them ran up to us and recognised us straight away, it was so lovely.”

Christine said she began fostering because she loved children but was not ready to have a family of her own.

The first child Christine and Peter cared for was a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, who she later discovered that she knew his mother.

“I had been at school with his mother, who died having him.

“So, it was fantastic because I was able to provide all the photos from school days.”

She added: “He's our son, in every sense of the word, and he flew across from France just for the afternoon [for the wedding anniversary].”

Around 15 previous foster children attended the celebration, one of which later adopted two more of their children.

“They said to us, we are so thrilled with the way we've stayed in contact and we're able to tell the children about their background,” said Christine.

The couple have previously taken in children of all ages and have cared for individuals for up to 14 years.

Now aged in their 80s, they still look after babies and young children, with Christine saying: "It is so rewarding.

“You change a child's life completely.”

She added: “It's a well worthy job.

“There is a lot of enjoyment but there is a lot of pain as well.

“I cry every time one goes, but I then think to myself, right, when's the next one coming and what help can I give the next child?”

Christine said her and Peter foster for the local authority because they want to help children in the area, and urges others to consider doing the same.