Tributes have been paid to foster carer Audrey Wearing MBE who has died after 44 years of fostering children.

Audrey, 88, was a grandmother to 20 grandchildren, as well as a dedicated foster carer and looked after over 200 children with her husband Fred Wearing, who passed away in 2018.

The passing of Audrey has been met with sorrow and widespread tributes within the borough for her long-standing service as a warm and loving foster carer.

In a statement written by Audrey's seven children; Julie, Graham, Stephanie, Melanie, Juliet, Joanne, and Hayley, they said: “Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be. This sums up our mother Audrey Wearing.”

Victoria Haigh, supervising social worker, said: “Audrey and Fred were an amazing couple who were absolutely devoted to the children they cared for.

"Their warm and loving home was always busy with children, their door always seemed to be open and it was clear that they were at the centre of their family.

“The carers were skilled in caring for babies and very young children and could manage several placements at any one time.

"Even in their seventies, they were active and enthusiastic about their caring role.

"Audrey was a genuine and caring person and I will remember her with great respect and fondness.”

The couple fostered over 200 children, and paying tribute, Deborah Benmore, Leaving Care Service manager, said: “I was the fostering team manager when Audrey received her MBE.

"She had always been warm and welcoming and absolutely loved caring for babies, I would say they probably cared for over 100 babies in their fostering career, this was Audrey and Fred’s life.

“Audrey always kept herself busy often climbing up ladders to decorate when she was not caring for a baby well into her 70s.

“This is a great loss to the community. Audrey will always be remembered by many children, families and adopters as such a caring and loving person.”

Cllr Julie Gunn, deputy leader and executive member for Children, Young People and Education for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Audrey and Fred showed true kind-heartedness and care throughout the years by providing a home to children from sometimes the most vulnerable of circumstances.

“They were exemplary examples for others who have considered fostering and my thoughts are with her family and the many people Audrey’s compassion touched during her lifetime.”