A DEVOTED mother and grandmother today told of the incredible battle against adversity that has led to her being crowned York's "wonder mum".

Janet Richardson, of Clifton, beat off competition from hundreds of other marvellous York mums to take the top prize in a York "wonder mum" contest.

She was nominated by her 24-year-old daughter Kelly, who said: "She is definitely someone to look up to. I really respect her and she is my best friend as well."

Mother-of-three Janet's parenting skills were put to their first severe test when son David, then 17, slid into heroin addiction.

He fell into petty crime to pay for his habit, serving a number of short spells in young offenders' institutions.

Throughout David's addiction, Janet, 49, of Ladymill Garth, stuck by him and tried to help him get off drugs.

She visited him in custody every week.

Janet, who has three grandchildren, said: "He was my son and he needed me."

But in 1995, when David was 20 and making progress in his fight against heroin, tragedy struck.

He developed a blood clot in his leg, which entered his lung and killed him.

The post-mortem examination showed no traces of illegal drugs in his system, and David's death was put down to natural causes.

Janet said she had never properly recovered.

"It has never got any easier, but you keep going."

Janet organised a collection at David's funeral for a York charity that helps addicted people.

Seven months later Janet's father, Tom Bycroft, died of lung cancer. He had been devoted to David.

Throughout her life Janet has had to fight against depression and panic attacks, for which she takes medication.

She is also trying to deal with the pain of a recent relationship break-up.

But she said being chosen as York's "wonder mum" has given her a boost.

"It is lovely. I think I have done my best to be a decent mam," she said.

Janet will now go on to the national heats of the Asda competition, which could see her named as the UK's number one mum.

Updated: 09:23 Saturday, April 24, 2004