You 'share so much in my heart', Emelia tells granny of year Pauline

Overall winner of the 2011 Grandparent of the Year competition, Pauline O’Regan from Cork, has been told by the granddaughter who nominated her that no matter what, Pauline is a "winner to her".

Ten-year-old grandchild Emelia Deane from Maynooth said that, despite the distance between herself and her granny, they have always been extremely close.

Her entry said: “I think my Gran should win because she's the best Gran in the world. She never really gets cross, and I remember she used to tell me stories to eat my porridge.

"When my mum had my twin sisters, my mum was a bit sick. My Gran came all the way from Cork to look after us for two months.

"For a person that lives far apart she shares so much in my heart she's always there no matter what - Halloween, Christmas, birthdays the lot.

"Winner or no winner, she's a winner to me, She's the best Gran that I'll ever see."

Pauline is to collect her award later today - check back later to see pictures of the event.