HE can fix anything, he is always smiling and jolly and both staff and children love him.

And it is for those reasons that Deryck Whitehouse has been voted the Warrington Guardian's Caretaker of the Year.

Deryck, aged 58, works for the Sandy Lane Children's Centre, in Orford. On Friday, staff, parents and children surprised him at a special presentation when they told him he had won the competition.

"It's one of the nicest nurseries in the town and has the best garden," said Deryck proudly as he accepted his prizes watched by wife Mary, daughter Claire and son-in-law Mark.

"The other day a little girl came up to me with a burst balloon and wanted me to fix it, they think I can mend everything," laughed Deryck.

David Littlewood, head of centre, said: "Deryck is truly wonderful. We gave him some money to sort out the garden and he completely redesigned it himself spending his own leisure time planting new shrubs."

Margaret King, one of the managers, said: "We had a flood a few weeks ago and when I arrived Deryck, without being asked, was already on site sorting everything out. He's marvellous and always goes beyond the call of duty."

Deryck, who lives in Grasmere Avenue, Orford, was presented with a trophy and prizes by Guardian editor Nicola Priest. He wins a one-night weekend break at the Park Royal Hotel, a day out at Haydock Park Racecourse and a meal for two.