A 54-year-old mother has proved herself to be the most desirable person to have on your street when she was voted the top neighbour in the north west.

Patricia Conlon said she was "stunned" when she was awarded the honour and is now in the running for Britain's Best Neighbour with five other regional winners.

Patricia was nominated for the award by next door neighbour Julie Garswood, who described Patricia as "one in a million!" She added: "Patricia is always thinking of other people's needs and does so much for the community."

Mum-of-two Julie, who moved to Wensley Road in Blackburn just over three years ago, said: "She looks after a 90-year-old man on the street by doing his shopping and collecting his pension and she was the first one to say hello to me when I moved here and made me to feel welcome."

Such Julie's gratitude to Patricia for welcoming her into the fold she has asked the good samaritan to be godmother to her five-year-old daughter Emily.

Patricia knew nothing about the competition, organised by door-to-door sales company Betterware.

"I was stunned when I heard I had won," she said. "It's lovely just to be in the national final but of course it would be even better to win it." Patricia's caring nature even extends to her working life. As an escort guide based at the Blackburn with Darwen Council run Stansfeld Day Centre in Blackburn, Patricia looks after adults with learning difficulties.

She is married to Paul and has a 33-year-old daughter Annette living in Germany.

She put her neighbourly touch down to the "old days" when streets had a real community feel to them.

"I grew up around Wensley Road and as children we all used to play together," she said. "That sense of a community spirit has gone in a lot of places which is a shame."

Patricia's good nature means she is a hit with her neighbours and it also stops her going mad!

Julie's 17-year-old daughter Natalie plays piano and flute and is currently vying for a place at one of the top music colleges across the country -- which involves plenty of practice.

"I don't mind her playing although sometimes it can be a bit much especially when she has to practice the same bit over and over again," teased Patricia. "But I usually cover it up by playing my CDs loud."

For winning the competition Patricia was handed a cheque for £250.