A wondermum was treated to a tour of Number Ten with Cherie Blair and bumped into the Prime Minister as well.

Lesley-Anne Mills, 35, was one of six regional finalists in a nationwide competition to find Britain's Wondermum

It all started in February when Ms Mills was reading The Sun newspaper.

"I was reading about the Wondermums competition and my son James came in and asked me if I could manage his football team.

"I said I would do it if he nominated me and I didn't think for two minutes he would do it."

James, 14, one of her four children, nominated her for her fundraising efforts and commitment to her children in the competition.

She has raised thousands of pounds for the NSPCC at The Charity Shop For Kids, which she manages in Orwell Road, Clacton.

Before that she ran a smaller shop and raised money for St Helena Hospice Tendring day centre.

Two weeks ago Ms Mills got a phone call to say she was a regional finalist.

The Clacton wondermum travelled to London with her family for the final and sampled the celebrity life-style staying at the Kensington Park Hotel.

After being treated to a makeover on Wednesday Ms Mills was taken to Downing Street.

She also got to meet Tony Blair and shake his hand just as he was going out of Number Ten.

Then it was on to the awards ceremony at Kensington Roof Gardens where a host a stars were waiting.

Although she did not win the top prize, Ms Mills received a Wondermum award, which she was presented with by EastEnders stars Kim Medcalf and Michelle Ryan who play Sam Mitchell and Zoe Salter in the soap.

Published Friday, June 6, 2003

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