The Oxfordshire father who was in the running to be named Britain's best mum didn't scoop the title - but says he and his two children had a day they will never forget at the awards ceremony.

As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, Alistair Morris, 44, of Little Milton, and his two children, Bethan, 11, and Callum, nine, went to the Wonder Mum ceremony at London's Savoy Hotel on Wednesday where they rubbed shoulders with the likes of Cherie Blair, the Duchess of York and GMTV's Lorraine Kelly.

Mr Morris, a volunteer co-ordinator, was nominated for the award by his daughter, who says he has done a great job of looking after her and her brother since their mother Michele died of cancer five years ago.

Although the top prize went to a mum from North Wales, Mr Morris said: "It was a really lovely occasion.

"It was nerve-racking to start off with before the winner had been announced, but once all of that was over, we all relaxed and had a great time.

"It was a day the kids will remember and cherish for many, many years."

Glamour model Nell McAndrew, pictured with Mr Morris and Melinda Messenger, handed over the award.

The Morris family won a trip to Eurodisney, a £50 Asda voucher, a washing machine and a year's supply of Daz washing powder.