WHEN we launched our search for the town's best grandparents, we could never have imagined so many touching tales would fill our inbox.

From putting a smile on grandchildren's faces to always being there whenever they are needed, entries came flooding in from readers naming their grandparents as the greatest.

And we can now reveal the winning couple, drawn from the hat, is Karen and Brian Wilkinson.

Nominated by seven-year-old granddaughter Ruby, of Greenwood Crescent in Orford, the winning pair will pick up two hospitality tickets for a Warrington Wolves home game next season (fixture to be confirmed), a £50 voucher to spend in Chapelford Sainsbury’s and a hamper of preserves from afternoon tea business Room Forty in Woolston.

Ruby said her nanna and granddad deserved a special treat because nothing stops them from playing with her. She added: "My nanna has to uses sticks to walk and even when she is in pain with her legs she just carries on.

"She is very very brave.

"As I only have a mummy my grandad is the only man I have in my life and I call him dad.

"People think it's strange sometimes but I love him like a dad and he even spent three weeks decorating my bedroom for me."

We have listed all the entries below for our competition to coincide with Grandparents Day. 

Click through the gallery above to see their pictures. 

1. Winners - Brian and Karen Wilkinson. 

Ruby's entry:

Hello my name is Ruby and I am 7 years old. I have the best nanna and grandad in the world. My nanna is called Karen and my grandad is Brian WIlkinson. They mean everything to me. Nanna looks after me and takes me to school while mummy works she is always there to pick me up after school and her and grandad come to watch my school assembly every week. Nanna takes me to homework club every week and helps me with my reading and writing. My nanna has to uses sticks to walk but that doesn't stop her from playing with me. She is amazing and even when she is in pain with her legs she just carries on. She is very very brave.

As I only have a mummy my grandad is the only man I have in my life and I call him dad. People think it's strange sometimes but I love him like a dad. 
We spend all our time together and even go away a one big family. I know I don't tell them that often but they are the best and I love them both so much.

2. Marie Robinson from Padgate

Nominated by Isla age 4, Leah age 21 months, Theo age 15months and Finley age 10 months

With our Nannie suffering with ill health quite recently she has still taken it in her stride to look after all her grandchildren whilst our mummies and daddies go out to work. We all absolutely love and adore her. She goes above and beyond for all 4 of her 'little chickens' 

We really couldn't be without our Nannie xx

3. Marjorie and Stephen Massey from Great Sankey

Nominated by Samia and Ava Charlton (age 8 and 1)

We would like to nominate our grandma and grandad. They take us to the park, read us books, sing us songs, play games and have us for sleepovers so mummy and dancing can have a date night! They are the best grandma and grandad in the whole wide world!

4. June and Arthur Lester from Lower Walton

Nominated by Sarah Hatton

They truly are the best, they are always available for chats, they are friendly, loving and caring and always welcoming in their home

Nan still goes to her bingo and Grandad loves his football being a Manchester United Fan. Grandad is a practical joker leaving a fake poo on the carpet for the children to find who find it so funny or taking his teeth out for the children.

Nan will make you your drink and always try and feed you up with cake or biscuits. I feel very lucky to of had them both in my life for 45 years.

5. Tom and Barbara Orr from Chapelford

Nominated by Ciara Orr

I think that they are the best grandparents because my Grandad, when I was little, I loved this book that was filled with spider photos and spider facts, and so I constantly asked him to read it to me: I honestly cannot recall him ever becoming bored with my strange obsession.

My nan, who is probably the most determined bingo play ever, has always been amazing too, and would let me and my brother create our own cooking shows in the kitchen.

They have always together been lovely and constantly there for us and I feel super lucky to have them as my grandparents, and having also given me the best mum too. 

6. Dave and Trisha Clifton from Bewsey 

Nominated by Louise, Beth and Ollie Clifton

My parents give my kids the stability of a strong loving family, I am 41 and a single mum who works full time to provide for my kids...my parents have strong family values, they take me and my kids everywhere, they ensure every summer we have a family holiday, they take us to Somerset every year, where we stay in a gorgeous static caravan, every weekend they make sure we get out of the house and get fresh air in our lungs, whether it's to a national trust or the cinema..

My parents are a very strong support for us all, they do anything and everything for us, nothing is too much trouble.

7. Ann and Anthony Smith from Orford

Nominated by Claire Knight

I think my Nan and Grandad should win this competition as they go above and beyond for not only their family but their community and all of their friends. They both willingly help anyone in need and are such an inspiration to myself and our family! They have been married now for 51 years and are still so in love as they were when they were 18. There are amazing role models to have in our family and every new person they meet instantly falls in love with them. 

8. Dave and Judy Humphrys from Great Sankey

Nominated by Sophie and Isabelle Travis 

We think our Grannie and Grandad are the best. We love them very much and always have fun whenever we're at their house.

9. Susan and Trevor Taylor from Woolston

Nominated by Sofia and Harry Achaoui

My Grandparents are the best, they love me and my baby brother with all their hearts.  My mummy is a mature student studying to get a good job for us, and my grandparents have me and my baby brother and my mummy living with them in their house.  They did me a Minnie mouse bedroom and my nana was there at my birth as my daddy lives abroad.  My grandparents ensure me and my baby brother and my mummy are all very loved.  They buy my favourite chocolate bar Freddo each week and ensure I have lovely healthy meals everyday.  They teach me how to count and write my name.  My grandad always teaches me about the stars, sun, and mr moon and lets me wear his slippers.  My grandparents ensure they take us to Haven on holiday every year to have lots of fun.  My nana is recovering from bowel cancer and she has never ever put herself first.  My grandparents put us first always and are simply the best.  I would love them to win this as they do so much for us they deserve a big treat.  My life is perfect as they are in it each and every day. They make so many happy times.  Because of my grandparents I have a place I can call home which is very cosy.

10. Dot and Alan Salisbury from Sankey Bridges

Nominated by Leah Armstrong

Me and my twin sister are extremely close with them, since we were born we have always spent a lot of time with them, especially once we started school during school holidays they always looked after us. We used to love going to their house, especially for my grandmas cooking and my Grandads singing lessons. They have had a tough year this year with my grandad unfortunately having a stroke in January. They have both always been so fit and well and came as a complete shock to the whole family. They had to miss out on a beloved trip to Cyprus which they go every year and are stronger than ever now they have come through the other side of it. My grandad is one tough cookie! They are both simply the best and we love them dearly.  

11. Carol Donlan from Padgate

Nominated by Demi Williams

My nan is quite simply the best!! From her 6 children all the way down to her 9 grandchildren, our nan offers support, advice and most importantly the best cuddles ever. Over the years my nan has helped all of us out and although she has had problems of her own has always made us her priority, no one really ever knows when our nan is struggling or has something on her mind as her selfless nature means everyone is put before herself. She really has a special bond with us all and this year has welcomed her newest grandchildren Frankie and my twin brothers into the family,helping us out whenever we need her but this is nothing new, since my birth (being her first grandchild) she has always had an open door and nans is somewhere we can go if we are worried about anything and no doubt she will reassure us and make everything better!! As each of my cousins have been brought into the world it is clear to see the admiration towards my nan, and she will always be someone I look up to

12. Alison Wendy and David Crosby from Padgate

Nominated by James, Alicia, Kyle and Amelia 

In the children's own words

James said... he wants his nanny and Chuckle to win because Nanny always has a smile and is always there when I need to chat or have some time to myself away from my brother and sisters it's nannys house I go, Chuckle gave me important medals he won from snooker, Chuckle moans a lot but he's fun too.

Alicia said... I want Nanny and Chuckle to win because she's my Nanny and she's the best always gives me warm hugs and we watch films together and she lets me sleep over whenever I want too, Nanny reads my homework book with me, Nanny is fun and I love going to her house to play games or watch films and colour in pictures in the colouring books. Chuckle makes me giggle when he tickles me.

Kyle... Love my Nanny and love her car.

I'd love for my mother in law and father in law to win... they are always there for me and my children day or night.. nothing is too much to ask for, they always let the children stop over if they want too, Chuckle works very long hours but he will still go and pick the children up from school on rainy days, often he will pick them up anyway just because he knows they love being in the car. They help the children do their homework and will try and book time off work to come and watch their sports days.. Christmas plays.. they are fantastic grandparents supportive, loving and caring. 

13. Kim Charnock and Billy Smith from Orford

Nominated by Millie Jane Ross 

I believe my grandparents are the best because..

(Millie's words...)

They always look after me so mummy can go to work!

They let me play with all my toys but then they tidy up!

They let me get messy not like my mummy!

They take me on holidays to the seaside and to Old Mcdonalds (regular Mcdonalds restaurant 😂)

They give me kisses and huggles all the time!

They let me eat more chocolate than my mummy does!

They buy me nice treats when I'm a good girl!

Please consider my Grandma and Grandad for the bestest Grandparents competition because to me they are the most amazing wrinklies in the whole wide world!

14. Beryl and Ben McShane from Orford

Nominated by Danielle McShane

Everyone thinks they have the 'best' of something, whether it be your dog, spouse etc.. But to say you have the best grandparents that's a pretty big deal and I know some people aren't as fortunate to have their grandparents in their lives and I definitely can't imagine my life without mine, they are the most caring, selfless people I have ever come across. Since young they have been my teachers, my go-to when I need to let off steam and they never pass judgement and no matter what I know they will always love me like I love them, so I want to say thank you for everything you both have ever done for me, I hope you both win because I think you deserve it but if not you will still be the best in my eyes.