A STOURPORT boy's winning way with words has won Kemp Hospice an award for being the best charity in the Midlands.

Kemp Hospice has won the Carlton TV award of Best West Midlands Charity after beating off competition from more than 200 other independent Midlands charities.

Central News invited viewers to nominate their favourite charity and Sam Pagett wrote a letter nominating Kidderminster's hospice, after his late father was looked after by staff at the caring organisation.

Programme researcher, Miranda Genova, said: "Sam's letter was definitely the clinching factor when we were deciding from the 10 shortlisted charities which would win.

"It was a very touching letter, talking about the hospice and how it helped. For instance, he said his father liked the hospice, partly because the food was so good."

Since losing his dad to lung cancer on Father's Day two years ago, Sam has been busy raising money for the charity by busking on the saxophone his dad left him. This also impressed the judges, Ms Genova added.

Judging of the nominations, which had to be for independent charities catering for the needs of Midlands people, was undertaken by Central News new editor, Dan Barton.

A prize of tickets for Drayton Manor Park went to Kemp and 11-year-old Sam won a weekend break at the leisure firm's Tynewydd Country Hotel in Mid Glamorgan, recognised in a presentation to him and his mother, Jill, at the Staffordshire theme park.

Sam is also flying high with his musical talents after just passing his Grade One saxophone exam. He will be busking in aid of Kemp in Bewdley on Saturday.

Alan Ierston, fund-raising manager at Kemp, said the hospice was delighted to have received the recognition.

He asked for any youngsters' organisations or clubs interested in obtaining tickets for Drayton Manor Park to contact the hospice on 01562 865105.

Meanwhile, Kemp's funds have been given another boost by Hereford artist, Pauline Vincent. She has donated 12 of her distinctive paintings of cats, which have been worked up into the Kemp Hospice Cool for Cats Calendar, available from the hospice on the above number.