Visiting her son's classroom and rubbing his back when he was sick were two of the many reasons why Tristan Martin said that his mother, Debbie, should be voted Mother of the Year.

The Paget Primary School student won the annual Continental Society of Bermuda's essay writing competition with the entry, “My Mother - My Love”.

In in essay, the ten-year-old had fonds words for his ‘special girl'. He wrote: “On sports day she yells my name to run faster and when I come first she sings and dances...I feel like running away because all my friends laugh at me when she hugs and kisses me, but it's okay, I like it”.

Excited mother Debbie was honoured to win. She said it was not something she was expecting.

“Tristan didn't tell me that he was entering a contest. When he brought his essay home with corrections to be made, he wouldn't let me see it.

“All he kept saying is, ‘I have a surprise for you'. I am honoured that he took the time to show gratitude to his mother.”

Ms Martin said that she holds the title of mother close to her heart.

“I love the role of mother. It's a very special blessing.”

And she still has more surprises in store from Tristan on Mother's Day. He closed his essay by saying: “On Mother's Day I am going to give her another prize for being special to me....lots of hugs and kisses with all my love”.