A FORMER sales assistant has been voted a Middlesbrough shopping mall's top mum.

Nicky Hughes is a full time mother with three daughters Tiffany, four, Jessica, six, and Kirsty, eight.

Mrs Hughes, 32, was nominated by Kirsty for the title Cleveland Shopping Centre's Top Mum 2004.

Kirsty's entry read: "She is like a buttercup shining yellow, she is like a jumper soft and cuddly, she is like the sun warm and bright and she is my Top Mam.''

Mrs Hughes received £100 worth of Cleveland Shopping Centre vouchers, a day at Gisborough Hall's Revival Zone, a makeover at Chintz Hair Salon, UGC cinema tickets, a photographic session with Highland Studios, flowers from Linthorpe Bouquet and Thornton's chocolates.

Mrs Hughes, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, said: "I was so shocked when I was told I had won and so proud of Kirsty.

"I'm just like most other busy mums with small children but now I'm lucky enough to become the Cleveland Centre's Top Mum."

Kirsty said: "She looks after me and my two sisters and my dad all the time and doesn't have much time for herself.

"She's always our top mam and now it's her turn to be looked after and get lots of presents."

There were 750 competition entries. David Ward, manager of the shopping centre, said: "We were amazed at the amount of entries we received and there were some wonderful stories about amazing mums."