SHE used her own pain to try to help others and now a Hampshire mum who set up a website to support families who lose their babies has been honoured with a top award for her work.

Southampton-based Charlotte Forder has been named the Charitable Mum of the Year after winning a vote organised by Tesco Magazine.

Charlotte set up the website Babyloss.com after losing her first child seven-years-ago and deciding she wanted to help other parents going through similar tragedies.

The site offers grieving families who lose their baby during or shortly after birth, support, advice and solace and is also linked to charities including The Miscarriage Association, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC).

Hundreds of people were nominated for the Charitable Mum of the Year Award, but the judges agreed Charlotte was the most worthy because as well as the support the website offers, it has also raised thousands of pounds for its linked charities.

Mother-of-three Charlotte, from Shirley in Southampton, received her award at the prestigious Waldorf Hilton in London from Sarah Brown, wife of Chancellor Gordon Brown.

The Brown's lost their first child, Jennifer, in January 2002 from a brain haemorrhage ten-days after her birth.

Following the ceremony, the 11 award winners were then invited back to a private reception at the Chancellor's official address at 11 Downing Street.

Among those attending yesterday were GMTV presenter Fiona Philips who picked up the Celebrity Mum of the Year award, and TV stars including Vanessa Feltz and new mum Kate Garraway.

Other winners included Inspirational Mum of the Year Margaret Knight from Kent, who was given three months to live 30 years ago after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, and Courageous Mum of the Year Lisa Martin, also from Kent, who is dying from breast cancer but who continues to care for her two sons saying she is living with cancer not dying from it'.

Tesco Magazine editor Dawn Alford, said: "These are some of the most exceptional women living in the UK today.

"I am humbled to have met them and what they have done with their lives in times of tragedy or triumph is something no one should ever forget."