Leigh Park foster families take on '˜dumped' African children in 1983

That was the warning from social workers and community relations experts as it was thought more than 120 Nigerian children had been '˜dumped' by their parents.

However Edith Bowers, 57, from Warren Park, hit back at the claims, saying most of the parents of these Nigerian children were only concerned about finding their children a good home.

Edith had been a registered foster mum for more than 20 years. She and her husband Ronald had fostered Helein, 11, for all of her life; Bola, 12, for five years; nine-year-old Femi for four years and they had looked after four-year-old Dayo since he was seven weeks. 

'˜Their parents originally came over here to study and because accommodation is so bad in London they are desperate to find their children a good home. Most of their parents come and see them a lot,' said Edith. 

'˜Other foster mums and I have only got the interests of the children at heart.'