FOSTER mum Lillian Britton has been honoured for helping dozens of children over the last 30 years.

Lillian, 63, and her husband Tony, 66, have focused especially on looking after disabled children and provide respite care for them at their home in Stapleford.

The Children and Carers Support Services (CCSS), set up by Lillian 15 years ago, has also helped countless foster parents and children in Nottingham and south Notts.

Now she has won the Most Outstanding Community Group Volunteer for Children category of the What's On 4 awards, run by family event website whatson4.com to reward and recognise activities, classes, groups and the people that run them.

Lillian said: "It was very humbling for me. They read out some of the comments that people had put when they voted for me. It made me cry and my husband welled up as well.

"I know the award was for myself but it was for the group as well."

Lillian and Tony, who have two adult sons of their own, still foster disabled children at their home in Stapleford. They are now respite carers, giving disabled children short breaks on a rota basis.

CCSS meets in Beeston and organises activities and trips including Easter egg hunts, Christmas discos, farms trips and days out.

Gemma Scott, 31, from West Bridgford, has been a member of the group for two-and-a-half years, having fostered for more than five years.

"Lillian has got a heart of gold, she really has," said Gemma. "I first went to the group when I was pregnant with my own daughter, Millie.

"Lillian has provided us with new experiences and opportunities and it has been a great resource that I've been able to tap into with the young people I've cared for. She puts on a fantastic programme of different outings and activities."

The awards ceremony was held in Brighton, and Lillian received hers from Cbeebies presenter Phil Gallagher.

More than 2,500 people and services were nominated, before shortlists were drawn up and put on the website.

Around 27,000 votes were then cast in the online poll, and awards given in 13 categories.

Lillian also received a bouquet of flowers and a standing ovation from the audience.

The group was given vouchers which they will raffle off and toys.

Councillor Philip Owen, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "On behalf of the county council, I would like to congratulate Lillian on her award. She has worked tirelessly for fostering causes for 30 years, and recognition like this is long overdue. It's one thing to get praise from the authority, but to be heralded by her fostering peers like this shows she is one of a kind."