Daddy cool (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Daddy cool

4:58pm Tuesday 12th June 2007 in News By Angela Knight

GEORGE Brown is without a doubt the coolest dad in St Albans - and that's not just his daughter's opinion.

The taxi driver, of Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, beat off scores of hopefuls to win the coveted Daddy Cool' title. His proud daughter Charlotte nominated her dad for the award for being incredibly supportive when her mum Wendy died suddenly of a heart attack.

"I was very close with my mum. When we lost her 14 months ago it was a disaster," said the 17-year-old. "My dad could have broken down, but he was strong for me. He was my rock, looking after everything whilst trying to deal with his own grief at the same time."

Charlotte, who has three brothers and will be taking her A-levels at Nicholas Breakespear School, in St Albans this year, added: "I just think my dad deserves some acknowledgement for everything he has done for me."

Speaking on Monday, George, 66, said: "Wendy was a fantastic woman. We would have been together 25 years this August.

"I'm a good few years older than Charlotte but we've grown a lot closer and adapted our lives. We're a good team."

The Maltings Shopping Centre manager Phil Corrigan said it had had a fantastic response to its Daddy Cool competition. He said: "There really were some very strong nominations and I hope that all the fathers nominated will receive recognition for all they do this Father's Day.

"Charlotte's nomination clearly stood out and George is a thoroughly deserving winner. It will be wonderful to give him some acknowledgement for being such a supportive dad."