THE nation's greatest 'nana' can be found in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Grandmother of 10 children Doreen Cowman, of Little Moor, Clitheroe, was awarded the honour by a website after she was nominated by her granddaughter.

It was 75-year-old Doreen's zest for life, which includes activities such as quad biking in Egypt, her positive outlook, youthful attitude and the love for her grandchildren which saw her beat competition from the whole of the UK to take the Britain's Greatest Gran title.

Genealogy website Genes Reunited gave Mrs Cowman the award after reading a glowing tribute from 14-year-old Sophie Cowman.

Sophie, of Chatburn, wrote a poem about her nana when she saw details of the competition as she helped research their family tree.

And Doreen beat competition from hundreds of entries to win.

Retired civil servant Doreen said: "I don't feel like I'm 75 years old.

" I feel younger and I don't like my grandchildren calling me gran, grandma and granny.

"I try to keep as young and lively as I can. I've tried quad biking in Egypt and snorkling in the Maldives.

"They call me nutty nana, I would try anything.

"I make my grandchildrren, who are aged 27 to five, laugh and they make me smile.

"My husband died before any of the grandchildren were born.

"He never met them, so maybe I compensate for that.

"I was surprised when I won because I didn't know Sophie had entered me.

"But I'm sure other grandmothers deserved the prize too."

Sophie said: "I'm really pleased. She really is the greatest gran ever.

"She deserves it and fills my life with joy.

"No challenge is too big or to small for her.

"She is the perfect gran and is just the best granny in Britain."

Martine Parnell, Head of Genes Reunited, who led the judging panel, said: "The ethos behind Genes Reunited is very much about bringing families together, either by helping them discover new family members, or by giving people the opportunity to learn about their past.

"These women are from an older generation who have one thing in common - they're all a pillar of strength for the whole family."