A FANTASTIC father who has raised his three children single-handedly is over the moon after going through to the national finals of a lone-parent competition.

Sam Arnold, from Worcester, is one of 10 regional winners picked to go through to the Eurocamp Lone Parent of the Year award.

The Worcester city councillor, who represents St John's ward, recently won a bouquet of flowers in the Worcester News Mother's Day competition and is excited to have had his achievements recognised again.

"I'm thrilled and chuffed to bits," said Mr Arnold, aged 42, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green.

The Worcestershire County Council's early years and childcare service worker was nominated by a colleague and stands a chance of winning a £2,500 holiday for him and his youngsters Lauren, aged nine, Megan, six, and Morgan, five.

He raised the children after he and their mother separated five years ago.

"It's recognition of what I've done and shows that men become lone parents too," he said.

"After five years of looking after them it's a nice positive feeling.

"The good thing about these awards is that they put lone parenting in a positive light, because it's hard enough being a parent and doubly hard being a single parent."

The public decides the winner and online voting will begin next week at www.eurocamp.co.uk.

Nomination letters can be posted to the Lone Parent of the Year Award, PO Box 350, Manchester M15 4X2.