With a full-time job, a degree to study for and six children to bring up single-handedly, supermum Christine Allen does not know what relaxation means.

The 43-year-old has battled through separation, illness, financial hardship and the threat of homelessness to raise a family any mother would be proud of.

For years, she has been one of the country's unsung heroes - but not any more.

Determined to show just how much she was appreciated, Christine's children wrote to a radio station to explain why she deserved to be Mum of the Year.

Last week, Mid Sussex station Bright FM 106.4 agreed and presented her with the title in its inaugural Christmas awards.

Christine, of Dumbrills Close, Burgess Hill, was nominated by daughters Nicola, 14, and Claire, 16.

Nicola said: "My friends are always saying how great their mums are but they don't do half the stuff my mum does.

"She's been separated from our dad for seven years but before that she was looking after us on her own.

"She always makes sure we don't go without, no matter what."

All Christine's children still live at home - Nicola, Claire, Michael, 20, Jenny, 17, Gregory, 14 and Thomas, 11.

Jenny said: "It was a big surprise when we heard what Claire and Nicola had done because they kept it secret. But she deserves the title. She has always been there for us and always puts us first.

"She has not been very well recently and they wanted to take her into hospital but she wouldn't go because she didn't want to leave us.

"She does get fed up sometimes but most of the time she's happy. She can get a bit annoyed when we're not being very helpful but not that often."

Christine, a full time special needs assistant at Cumnor School, Danes Hill, was so shocked at her nomination and victory she burst into tears.

She said: "Without the children I couldn't do any of it. They keep me going.

"It has been tough. But with six children I never thought it would be easy.

"They haven't always been little angels but because of all we've been through we have become even closer.

"One time we were facing homelessness, and could have been broken up. But we pulled together and came out a lot stronger.

"I don't have much time to myself but, then again, I'm never bored.

"I'm studying for a degree in religious education so I don't make things easy for myself.

"I know they won't be here forever and I sometimes think I can't wait to have time to myself. But I just know it would be too quiet.

"Last week Michael said he wouldn't be moving out until he was at least 30 because he couldn't possibly get it as easy anywhere else."