Craigh Beddows can still remember the morning his step-daughter Katie asked if she could call him dad.

It came out of the blue when she was three-and-a-half, and since then their relationship has gone from strength to strength. - so much so that he is formally adopting her as his daughter next month.

Katie, aged 10, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, nominated 36-year-old Craig for a Community Angels award in recognition of their special relationship.

The Seabridge Junior pupil said: "I would like to nominate my step-father Craig because very sadly my dad died of a heart trouble when I was 21-months old. My mum met his when I was three-years old. Since then he has always been there for me. He is someone to look up to, a knee to sit on when I am sad, and someone who cares when I am bad."

When her mum Kerry, aged 31, met Craig after her dad, Stuart, died, Katie did not allow them to go anywhere near each other. She would scream and always referred to him as "mum's friend", but Craig says he took their relationship at her pace.

Gradually Katie learned to trust him and still treasures a toy he bought her just before her third birthday - a Polly Pocket clock which no-one else is allowed to touch.

When she started school she refused to answer the register as Katie Bailey - and has been known as Katie Bailey-Beddows ever since.

And on December 4, the family, which also includes Kerry and Craigs six-year-old daughter Tanisha - plans to celebrate Katie's adoption with a big party.

Craig said: "I've been thinking about adopting her for a few years and it will be like an early Christmas present for us all. I couldn't ask for better children. We do everything as a family and I am very proud of them both."

Kerry, who married Craig in 1999 said: "Words can't describe how good Craig is with Katie and we are all excited about the adoption. He thinks the world of the girls. When Stuart died I thought my life was over but I met Craig and he wanted Katie as much as he wanted me. They've bonded well"

Katie added: "He works hard so my sister and I can have lots of nice things. I love him because he is my dad. He's like a big soft teddy bear.