Why I became a foster carer at the age of 26

A shortage of foster carers could reach crisis levels because not enough younger people are volunteering, according to charity The Fostering Network.

It found that three-quarters of carers were aged 45 or older.

Nicola told BBC Breakfast how she became a foster carer: "People were a bit, 'Aren't you a bit young?' because I was 26 at the time. But I just thought, 'We've got a spare room, we've got lots to offer, so why not?'"

Chief Executive of The Fostering Network Robert Tapsfield said many younger people did not realise they could be "excellent foster carers".