SUSAN Moore's battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been such an inspiration to her teenage son that he nominated her for an award.

Colin Moore, 16, told bosses at the Asda supermarket in Spennymoor that his mother always put others before herself, despite being ill.

In a touching letter, which he sent in response to the store's Mother's Day competition, he said that having MS never got his mother down.

He wrote: "She always puts myself, my father and the rest of my siblings before herself. She helped me get through four years of bullying and helped me remain strong. Eighteen months ago my father was diagnosed with cancer of the prostate and bladder.

"She remained incredibly strong and made sure all of the family remained close together throughout. She never once complained about her own illness.''

Mrs Moore, from Shaw Street, Spennymoor, said she was stunned when she found out she had won the competition.

She said: "This came as a total shock. I didn't even know that Colin had entered me. I was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates at the store and the staff had tears in their eyes when his letter was read out."

Mrs Moore, 43, and husband Alan, 53, have three other children. She said: "We are a very close and private family. We keep ourselves to ourselves. I do have some very bad times, but I pick myself up again. I have a very good family who are a good support. I've got MS, MS has not got me.''

Colin said: "I did it because I thought my mum deserved it as much as anybody else. I did not expect her to win though because there is always someone else who deserves a little bit more than you.''