Wandsworth’s most experienced and longest-serving carer has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

Pearl Howard, who has been fostering for more than 40 years, was honoured for her services to children and families.

She took care of children, many of them with her husband Claude before he passed away, and taken in more than 100 young people.

Mrs Howard said: “It was marked ‘urgent’ and personal and I could not imagine what it was about. It just didn’t sink in – I just signed the letter and returned it as requested.

“I was sworn not to reveal it to anyone until it was published.

“When it was announced I was elated, and all my children were here with me. They all gathered in my bedroom and the one daughter read out the contents of the letter to my other children.

“They were all overexcited and there were tears of happiness!

“For me, there were also tears for the memories I shared of the time together with Claude when he was with us. My other children reminded me that he was still there in spirit and that he would be laughing as he usually did.

“It was wonderful to know that all our work has been valued in this way.”

Councillor Sarah McDermott, Wandsworth Council spokeswoman for education and young people, said: “Pearl has opened her heart and her home to hundreds of young people and given them the chance of a caring, stable family life.

“She and all our other hard-working foster carers are worth their weight in gold, and we are truly grateful for the service they provide to their community.

“I am delighted that Pearl’s work has been recognised in this very public and profound way.”