It's official. Britain's best bloke is living nearby.

Prize - Stephen with fiancee Lucy and son Matty Picture: Maxine Clarke 46gek10

Stephen Drake, of Rushley Close, Great Wakering, has won the top prize in a competition to find the country's most amazing man after his fiancee secretly entered his name.

Lucy Brownlee, who is marrying Stephen next month, said his strength had got her through the toughest times of her life.

Stephen, 33, comforted Lucy, 29, when their son Matty was born ten weeks early and was admitted into intensive care.

Lucy, a Bullwood Hall prison officer, said: "It was very traumatic. Matty was on a ventilator and very poorly but Stephen always said he was going to be all right."

The lovebirds became close after Stephen's younger brother, Matthew, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2000 and both were constant visitors to his bedside in Southend Hospital.

It was only after Matthew's death the friends realised they had fallen in love. In November 2003, Matty was born and named after their lost loved one.

Matty, now nine months old, has been allowed home. His condition means the couple will not go on honeymoon but they did take time out to enjoy Stephen's prize, awarded by People magazine.

They spent a weekend at a hotel in Birmingham.

Published Thursday September 2, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo