Child Carer of the Year won by grandmother

Monday 10th December 2012, 1:00PM GMT.

Carolyn Ferbrache, pictured sitting centre, has been named as winner of this year’s Child Carer of the Year Award. Mrs Ferbrache was surprised during lunch at the Pony Inn with a certificate, flowers, a personal cheque for £500 and one for £500 to go to a charity of her choice. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 1289519)

GRANDMOTHER Carolyn Ferbrache got the shock her life yesterday when she was named Lloyds TSB Child Carer of the Year – while having a bar meal.

The 50-year-old was enjoying a pub lunch with her family, who were in on announcement, when the competition judges arrived to present her with flowers, a £500 cheque for herself and a £500 cheque for a charity of her choice.

‘I was so surprised,’ she said. ‘I had no idea. I’m just gobsmacked.’

Mrs Ferbrache was nominated by close family friend Richard Roberts.

She started working at a playschool 19 years ago and then undertook her City and Guilds in childcare. She then became a childminder, while raising her three children – Corinne, 28, Hannah, 26 and Adam, 23.