MUM was the word when Cabinet office minister Graham Stringer launched the North West campaign to publicise the Children's Tax Credit.

For Whitefield mother and Customs and Excise worker Paola Wheeldon joined Mr Stringer at the launch and brought along her daughter, Natalie.

They both met the minister when he visited the nursery at the Customs and Excise headquarters in Salford.

Mr Stringer was launching the regional publicity campaign for the new CTC which will help five millon families with children get up to £442 off their tax bills.

The CTC, which will come into force in April, is set to benefit 625,000 families in the North West, more than any other region other than the South East.

A freephone CTC helpline for parents on 0845 300 1036 will give advice to those with queries about their claims.