A foster care couple say looking after other people's children has brought them closer together as a family.

Lisa and Tony Whittingham were speaking ahead of next week's Foster Carer Fortnight.

The couple currently care for a two-year-old girl, as well as their own 21-year-old and ten-year-old children at their home in the city.

Mrs Whittingham said: “We've got two wonderful children and we've been able to give them a good start in life. We wanted to be able to do the same for other children.”

Mr Whittingham said: “Fostering has drawn us closer together as a family.

"If you want to be foster carers you have to have the whole family on board.

“Our children have been up for it from the word go. If they hadn't supported our decision to foster we wouldn't have done it.”

They urged people who are considering fostering to contact Brighton and Hove City Council's fostering team.

Mrs Whittingham said: “You have to go into fostering with your eyes open. It's a lifestyle change.

"It's not like a nine to five job, it's a different way of life but it's what we wanted. And it's worth it.”

An information event will be held at Hove Town Hall on Tuesday (May 15) between 7pm and 8.30pm.

A fostering roadshow event will be at Asda Hollingbury on May 23 from 10am to 2pm.

For more information on fostering call 01273 295444, email fostering@brighton-hove.gov.uk or visit www.fosteringinbrightonandhove.org.uk.