A YOUNG girl has paid her brave mother the best tribute a daughter could - by telling the world she's a "mum in a million".

Angela Lewis has battled to overcome pain and blindness to still be the best mum in the world to her five children.

Daughter Marie decided it was time to give her the recognition she deserved, and Angela found herself on a cruise to Spain after being nominated - and winning - a prestigious award.

The 13-year-old said her mother's disability, about which some people could be cruel, and a full-time job did not stop her doing everything she could for her family.

"My mum's been in and out of hospital for years but still tries to make as much time for us as possible," she said.

"I felt sorry for her as some people take the mickey for having a glass eye. I decided to put her name forward for Mum in a Million to show her how much we loved her."

Angela was left in agony after being blinded in her right eye at the age of six by conjunctivitis. Five years ago, her condition was so painful doctors decided to remove it.

She said the award, organised by H S A Healthcare, showed things were never as bad as they seem.

"It was difficult after having the eye removed but, now I'm used to it, it's not so bad, and I won a lovely cruise," said the 36-year-old, of Dart Road, Ronkswood, Worcester.

"I'd no idea Marie had written in nominating me, so when the letter came through telling me I'd won, I thought it was a con!

"I was really surprised, but most of all delighted my daughter had nominated me."

Angela's husband Steve, 41, joined her, Marie, and 14-year-old son Dean for the trip. Brothers and sister Lee, 19, Helen, 17, and Ben, nine, stayed at home.

The family joined other competition winners for the P&O cruise to Bilbao.

"Compared to some of the people we met on the cruise, and the hardships being suffered by them, my problem didn't seem that great," added Angela.

"There were some great people and my children made some good friends."