SINGLE mother-of-two Terri Shaw really is a mum in a million - and she has been picked as the north west winner in a national magazine just to prove it!

Terri, 37, of Coronation Road, Brierfield, was nominated for the award of That's Life Single Mum of the Year 1999 by her sister Deborah Heron.

After the magazine kept ringing her to say she had been short-listed, then short-listed again, modest Terri said: "I almost felt like a fraud. I feel I am really lucky to have my children and am really surprised to be given an award for being a mum."

Terri's second relationship broke down three months after she gave birth to her second child Joseph, now three-and-a-half.

"Doctors said Joseph was suffering from Down's Syndrome," said Terri.

"I was devastated. It was a combination of fear for the future and overwhelming grief for the loss of my perfect baby."

Consultants painted a bleak picture.

Terri said: "I was crying all the time. I didn't feel the usual maternal bond with Joseph."

Her partner Vinnie left after three months, but just a few days later Joseph smiled for the first time and Terri and her older daughter Carla, eight, determined to give Joseph all he needed. She said: "Doctors warned me not to hold out too much hope, but I no longer thought of Joseph as being different from any other child. I was determined to prove them all wrong."

At six months old, Joseph confounded doctors by sitting up on his own and clapping, he had learned to crawl by 18 months and by two-and-a-half was walking.

Speech therapy brought him in line with other children and Carla and Terri taught him a sign language so he can communicate.

Registered nurse Terri is studying for her BSc in nursing studies at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston while Joseph attends Woodfield Nursery, in Brierfield.

Next year he will join his sister at Holy Trinity School and Terri is hoping to return to full-time nursing.

For being North West winner, Terri will receive a cash prize which will help towards Christmas.

Terri's sister Deborah said: "Terri never expects anything for herself and works so hard for her children.

"Despite her own shattered dreams, Terri's personality and determination just shines through as she strives to create one big, happy family."

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