TEARS of joy flowed last night as Margaret Clement was named the winner of The Northern Echo’s Best North- East Mum competition.

Margaret was overcome with emotion as Tyne Tees Television presenter Pam Royle announced her as the winner and told her moving story.

Pam also struggled to hold back tears as she recounted how Margaret, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had been a mum to her seven siblings, after their parents died when she was very young.

Her daughter, Angela Walton, suffered a stroke last year and was left unable to walk for months. Margaret was her “rock” as she fought back to health.

“My mam’s always been there when she was needed and she deserves to be pampered,”

said Angela.

Margaret wins an overnight stay for two people at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, at Hurworthon- Tees, near Darlington. The prize includes a meal from award-winning former TV chef Kenny Atkinson, in The Orangery, and a treatment in the spa.

After being named the winner, Margaret said: “I’m lost for words. This is something I’ll never forget.”

Ten finalists, chosen out of hundreds of entries, were treated to afternoon tea at Rockliffe and presented with bouqets by florists Nattrass.

The competition was held to mark Mother’s Day, tomorrow.

Ms Royle said: “As a mum myself, I found Margaret’s story incredibly moving and couldn’t help getting emotional.

“The judges had a terrible task in trying to pick a winner from some inspirational stories.

All the mums who reached the final are winners.”

The other finalists were: Linda Donaghy, of Consett; Sylvia Ross, of Bishop Auckland; Shelagh Robinson, of Ferryhill; Angela Wood, of Darlington; Lynn Hilton, of Darlington; Yvonne Dawson, of Stockton; Debra Barnes, of Darlington; Kath Spensley, of Askrigg; and Margaret Clemence, of Middleton St George.