Jean Harrison is the best mum in Wales.

But you don't take the word of the 118 children she has cared for, as she recently won the title in a nationwide competition.

Jean, who has five children of her own and 10 grand-children, has fostered 113 others during her life, a fact which has been recognised by the award.

The 59-year-old from Flint, won the title in a context run by Hedex - the pain relief company - and is now preparing to take on all-comers for the UK title.

Jean, was nominated for the Welsh awards by one of her daughters, Gillian, and beat off dozens of others to be awarded with a certificate and flowers.

Gillian said: "My mum has brought up five children on her own and foster 113 others over the last 23 years.

"She's brilliant - definitely a mum in a million."

Jean said: "I'm a single parent and I have brought up five children on my own - Harry, 38, Laurence, 36, Susan, 35, and twins Gillian and Amanda, 32.

"The fostering all started after I offered to help look after someboy's children after they had gone to hospital.

"I started fostering in in 1976 and I've been doing it ever since.

"I started by taking handicapped children and then children aged between three and seven, and then aged 11 to 16.

"You do have problems with some of them, but you have problems with your own children.

"I'm glad I'm doing it and I would recommend it to anybody who is thinking about becoming a foster parent.

"I find it very rewarding - especially when they come back home."

And kind-hearted Jean never refuses a phone call from social workers looking for a home for a runaway child - no matter what time of day.

She said: "Sometimes they call you at 4am from a police station wanting to place a child who's run away from their parents after an argument."

Asked about her chances of winning the UK title, she added: "I'm quite happy to have won the Welsh title."

Jean is now through to the UK final with five other regional winners for the chance of winning a day of pampering at a luxury health farm.