"There's nothing quite like seeing the kids' faces light up on Christmas morning" - the foster carer urging other families in Greater Manchester to consider a "career that changes lives"

In three weeks' time, children across Manchester will be tiptoeing off to bed, longing to hear the sound of sleigh bells.

As they drift off to sleep in their cosy new pyjamas, they'll dream about the joyful magic the morning will bring, as they gleefully unbox the wonderful toys, trinkets and games they've wished for throughout the year.

But for some children, a perfect Christmas can't be gifted in a neatly wrapped box, tied with a silky bow.

For more than 6,000 children and young people currently in foster care across Greater Manchester, a safe, happy and loving family home is the greatest gift Father Christmas could ever bring.

Sadly, there are just 1,500 registered fostering households in the region - nowhere near enough to accommodate the children longing for a loving place to call home this festive season and beyond.

This Christmas, all 10 local councils in Greater Manchester, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, are working hand-in-hand to inspire families to consider a future in fostering.

Their heartfelt campaign, Foster for Greater Manchester, hopes to inspire those who are curious about fostering to fully explore and consider all elements of the rewarding role by sharing real experiences from their growing community of local council foster carers and the dedicated teams that support them.

For Ilyas, a foster carer for Bolton Council, becoming a foster parent unlocked magical festive traditions. His family, who are Muslim, had never celebrated Christmas until they started fostering Christian children, and they have never looked back.

Ilyas, who has been a foster carer for more than 10 years, said: "Fostering at Christmas is quite good in our household!

"We have children of different faiths in our