MARTIN Nevard of Littledean has been chosen by baby charity Tommy's as the UK's finest dad.
Nominated for the competition by his wife Angela, Martin was this Thursday receiving a brand new £10,000 Mini and three months' supplies of disposable baby bottles from co-sponsor Steri-bottle.
Angela, who entered her husband for the contest back in summer because of the support he gave when their son Jack was born 10 weeks premature, told the Review she was "surprised and delighted" when they heard just a few days ago he had won.
"We had forgotten all about it – I did tell Martin that I had nominated him but it had gone to the back of our minds and it was a complete surprise to both of us," she said.
Martin, a psychiatric community nurse working for the Severn NHS Trust from Lydney, was picked from a total of 1,300 entries.
"He is the perfect dad and husband. When our son came home from hospital he slept in the same room with him at night for the first six months so that I could sleep at night," said Angela.
"There is nothing Martin won't do with his son and he can't wait to play with him. Every small milestone our son achieves he thinks is wonderful. He is the best!"
The contest was introduced to emphasise the importance of support for mums and mums-to-be throughout pregnancy and after birth.
BBC presenter and new dad himself Jeremy Bowen, one of the judges, said dads and dads to be are "taking a great deal of interest in their partners and new babies" and he was delighted this was being highlighted.
And Angela added: "Jack is now doing very well. He is perfectly healthy and gaining weight. We are both delighted."