A GRANDMOTHER who has fostered more than 60 children from across East Lancashire has been named as the North West's number one mum.

Sam Johnson, 48, of Green Close, Burnley, was nominated for the NSPCC competition sponsored by detergent manufacturer Ariel and Asda by pal Michelle Waterman, who lives in Essex.

Sam, who has two grown-up children of her own and runs a help group in Blackburn, began fostering with her husband Peter, 23 years ago when she was just 25.

She and Peter, 54, a local government officer for Rossendale Borough Council, made the decision after they lost their son Mark when he was just 18 months old.

Mark had special needs and his loss spurred Sam into fostering children who are terminally ill and those with special needs.

She heard about one young boy with severe physical needs who was placed in a children's home a week before Christmas and offered to take him in even though she was short of room at her house. The couple were told he didn't have long to live.

But ten years on, at the age of 13, he is still living with them.

Sam also runs a support group held at Blakey's Cafe, Blackburn every couple of weeks for anybody involved with children who have special needs.

Sam said: "I can't believe I have won the award because I have never won anything before. I didn't think that anybody would think of me for an award like this, it was a lovely surprise. I have met a lot of special people while fostering who all deserve this award as much as I do."

Sam admitted it is hard to let the children go and said: "You grow to love each and every child in your own way so it is difficult to see them go and it is obviously even worse when you have to say goodbye forever when the child is terminally ill."

Sam's friend Michelle used to work at Burnley's Rose Hill nursery as a special needs nursery nurse until about 10 years ago, and she wrote a moving letter nominating her friend. She said: "Sam deserves more recognition for all her work and until so far it appeared to go unnoticed.

"I know that there are many good foster parents out there. But whoever meets Sam knows how special she is and what an unsung hero she is."

The NSPCC chose Sam to be the winner of the award and were overwhelmed by her story.

Gillian Lingard, Asda's events manager, said: "When I read the letter nominating Sam I was quite emotional. She has done so much for so many people without any kind of recognition."

Sam was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a £15 George voucher to spend in any Asda store and now goes forward to the national final.

If anybody is interested in attending the support group they can contact Sam on 01282 429028.

Foster parent requirements are:

That at least one adult in the family has no work commitments outside the home

The foster carer is aged 21 or over

The foster carer has some childcare experience

They should have Patience and perseverance.

Willingness to give lot of attention and encouragement to build self-esteem

Having Energy, enthusiasm, ability to provide a loving and stable home.

Willingness to support children and young people and sometimes help them to deal with past negative experiences

Having a genuine love of children and commitment to helping them succeed in life

Other than these qualities, people from all backgrounds whether they may be married, single, older people, unemployed, any culture can apply to be a foster parent.

To find out more about being a foster carer people can either ring Social Services at Blackburn with Darwen Council on 01254 587528 or Lancashire County Council's Social Service's on 01772 254868.