AFTER being 'mum' to more than 100 children there is no denying Pat Green is one in a million.

As well as raising her own two daughters, 54-year-old Pat has adopted four children and provided a temporary home for up to 150 children as a foster carer.

From tiny tots to teenagers, the caring grandmother-of-five has been fostering children for 26 years and has no plans to throw in the towel just yet!

"It was something I've always wanted to do,' said Pat, from Preston. "When I was about eight I told a friend it was what I wanted to do when I grow up.

"But I haven't done this for any recognition -- the reward is from the children themselves. Seeing them happy makes me glad that I've been able to help them get to that point.

"Right now I cannot see a time when I will give up being a foster mum. It is something I enjoy doing."

Supermum Pat, who is married to Michael, 56, started fostering in 1975 and over the years she has cared for children of all ages and from various walks of life.

As well as fostering children on a short-term basis Pat has looked after youngsters for longer spells and has been called upon at unsociable hours to offer emergency care.

She said: "These days I do more emergency cover but I have done all types of fostering.

"When they come to me they are sometimes very scared, especially the little ones, because they are going to a stranger's house and don't know where they are. I have to put them at ease.

"But my own children are very good about the situation and cope very well. They know that when one goes another will be coming.

"When the children go it can be sad -- it's like a bereavement -- but a lot of the children have kept in touch with me and I always say to them 'you know where I am if you need me'."

Now her hard work has been officially recognised by the county's quality protects panel and chairman Councillor Jean Yates presented Pat with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her efforts.

Family liaison team manager for North West Lancashire Martin Saddler paid tribute to Pat and appealed for people to consider foster caring.

Anyone interested in finding out more should call the family placement service on 01772 629307 and 01695 585800.