Alistair Morris with Callum and Bethan An Oxfordshire father who lost his wife to cancer five years ago is in the running to be named as Britain's best mum -- thanks to his daughter.

When father-of-two Alistair Morris was doing the weekly shop with his 11-year-old daughter Bethan, at Asda, in London Road, Wheatley, she saw a poster for the Wonder Mum competition and turned to him and said: "I can't enter, because Mummy died."

Her comment prompted him to find if fathers could enter too, and he was told they could.

Mr Morris, 44, who lives in Little Milton, and also has a nine-year-old son, Callum, said: "I think it's fair to say I'm somewhat surprised by all of this. I don't think there's any way I'll win. The other five finalists are far more deserving.

"Since Michele died five years ago, I've had to fulfil both roles and try to be a mum and a dad to Bethan and Callum.

"Michele truly was the best mum, wife and friend anyone could wish to have and I'm a very poor substitute. There's no way I could ever fill her shoes. She would be highly amused to see me in this final.

"We did not discuss in detail what would happen after she died, but one of the things she did say to me was that she felt comfortable in the knowledge that I would be able to take good care of the children."

Michele died in June 2000 from a rare form of cancer, paraganglioma. It is estimated only 12 people in the world suffer from it each year.

She had been ill for two years but finally lost her battle with the disease when tumours grew around her heart and lungs.

Bethan wrote a letter to the judges telling them that ever since her mother's death her dad had taken on the role of both parents, juggling his job with caring for her and her brother and always finding time for a bedtime story, even after a tough day at work. He also organises events for the WAY (Widowed and Young) Foundation. Bethan, a pupil at Rye St Anthony School, in Oxford, said: "My dad is very caring and loving and I am very proud of him. He tries to make up for us losing Mummy by taking on her role as well -- he's not always successful though, as he does sometimes buy me horrible clothes! He may not be my real mum but he is my Wonder Mum."

The competition is being run by The Sun newspaper, Asda and Daz washing powder. Mr Morris said he had forgotten all about it until he received a phone call telling him he had been shortlisted.

He said: "Apparently they absolutely loved Bethan's letter and said they were bowled over by it."

Mr Morris, a volunteer co-ordinator, is one of six finalists who will be attending a ceremony at the Savoy Hotel, in London, on Wednesday (May 18) with his children and their grandparents.

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

Should Mr Morris win, he will receive an all expenses paid family holiday anywhere in the world, £1,000 spending money and one year's free shopping in Asda.

Oxford Mail readers can help Mr Morris become the UK's Wonder Mum by voting for him on 0906 361 2203 (calls cost 10p).

For more information about the WAY Foundation, call 0870 011 3450.