Ian Messinger, of Pine Ridge in Southfields, Northampton, was awarded the title by Practical Parenting magazine.

Its judges heard how he quit his job to look after three-month-old Jack when his partner, Lucy Fairweather, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer two years ago.

Doctors told the couple that Lucy, now 24, had Choriocarcinoma, a condition caused by the pregnancy.

Tests showed the new mother had around 20 golf ball-sized tumours in her lungs and the cancer was beginning to spread to her brain.

She was admitted to London's Charing Cross Hospital, where she spent six weeks having chemotherapy. That left Ian needing to step into the parenting breach.

The first-time father, 37, who did the 160-mile round trip with his son to visit Lucy every other day throughout her treatment, said it had been a tough but rewarding time.

He said: "Looking after Jack was really hard work, but we got through it.

"I have a very good relationship with Jack and he said 'daddy' a long time before he said 'mummy'. Now I am back to work, it feels strange not to be with him."

"Lucy didn't tell me she had entered me for the competition, so I was shocked when I found out I had won, but very pleased too."

The devoted dad was nominated for the award after Lucy, who is on the road to recovery, contacted the magazine with their story.

The couple attended an awards ceremony in London, where Ian was presented with a certificate and vouchers worth £500.

Lucy said: "I think it is nice for a father to get a bit of recognition and his family are really proud of him too.

"I don't think I would have been able to cope with it all without him. He was just so good."

nicola.shaw@northantsnews.co.uk