FOR more than 20 years, Rachel Baker has opened the doors of her home to needy children.

In that time as a foster carer, she has provided a warm and welcoming environment for more than 50 children, many of whom have disabilities.

Today, she has been made an MBE.

Mrs Baker, 59, who has four children and a 21-month-old grandson, Liam, was one of the driving forces who opened the Sharing Care short-term foster scheme in York to children with special needs and disabilities.

She said: "When our youngest child was three, we started fostering children. I am not happy unless I am caring for children."

From 1981 to the mid-90s, Mrs Baker and her husband, Graham, 61, took 39 children into their home. After a break, they started providing short-term respite care for children to give parents and carers time off.

Every day the couple have up to three children in their home -and some of the children have been staying with the Bakers for nine years.

The couple are slowing down these days, but are still providing a home for some youngsters.

Mrs Baker said she would not have been able to do it without her husband.

She said: "I find it hard to see what all the fuss is about, I just enjoy what I do."

Yesterday, Sharing Care co-ordinator Jenny Bullock said: "I am absolutely over the moon, Rachel deserves this. She is an absolutely wonderful carer."

Prisons trio are given honours for their work

THREE prison workers from York have been awarded titles.

Stacey Tasker, the former Governor of Leeds Prison, who lives on the outskirts of York, was made an OBE.

Gerald Bee, a principal officer at Full Sutton Prison, in York, and John Stiff, a dog handler at Full Sutton, have both been made MBEs.

Mrs Tasker took over as governor of Leeds Prison in 2000, at a time when the prison was condemned for its high suicide rate and appalling accommodation.

Mrs Tasker helped turn its fortunes around, improving conditions.

In August, she took on a new role as head of training and development for the Prison Service.

Mrs Tasker, 46, said: "This is an amazing surprise and honour just for doing a job I adore."

Her husband, Ron, 60, has now retired, but is a former governor of Full Sutton Prison. They met while working at Wormwood Scrubs Prison and have a daughter, Poppy, 14.

Mrs Tasker paid tribute to the team at Leeds, who had worked with her to improve the prison.