Singing star Susan Boyle has spoken of her desire to adopt a child, saying: "I want to give a youngster what I didn't have."

The 53-year-old, who shot to fame after appearing on the television show Britain's Got Talent, is said to have been considering the move for the last year.

Boyle, from Blackburn, West Lothian, believes taking on a child would be a "way of giving back for me".

The Sunday Mail newspaper reported the singer as saying: " I have so much love to give. I want to adopt a child who doesn't have much, who I can really give something to. It's a way of giving back for me.

"I have been considering it for a year. I love children, I always have but I couldn't have them. I want to give a youngster what I didn't have.

"We'll have to see what social services say, but it would make me so happy."

She added: " I know I'm single and 50-odd. People don't think I'm serious when I say it, they have a giggle at me. Let's see."

Boyle, whose sixth album Hope is due out next month, is reported to have seen a relative care for foster children. While the singer said fostering would be "great", she added: "You have to give them back, and that's what I would hate. With adoption, you don't have that wrench."