A SELFLESS Alva couple, who always go that extra mile for their family, are the worthy winners of the Advertiser’s Greatest Grandparents Competition.

Margaret and Tommy Mellon, 77 and 84, often joke they run a café, laundrette, nursery, doggy day care, taxi and shopping service for their well-loved six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Despite the fact that they are already retired, helping the family out is very much a full time job for the local couple, who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this October.

Nominating them on behalf of all the grandkids were Gemma Kotrys and Paul Davidson who told the Advertiser why they thought Margaret and Tommy deserved the grand prize package, which includes a £75 gift voucher, a family ticket for four at the Alhambra, a meal for two at Gean House and more.

Paul said: “They are definitely the most selfless people I know.

“The place has been running like a babysitting and dogsitting café for 30 years.”

Paul had been enjoying Margaret’s home cooking since he was young, nowadays the couple look after his canine friend Miley, who spends many days in their home while he is away working or golfing.

Gemma, mother of five-year-old Rosa and latest addition to the family five-month-old Bella, added: “They are always there if we need anything. They would do anything for us.

“They would go without to make sure we had whatever we needed. They look after the two girls a lot, they’ve been looking after Rosa since she was a baby and obviously Bella is still quite young, but she’s been for a few days as well.”

She added: “So, they’ve got a busy schedule, even though they are retired they’ve got a full-time job with all of us.”

The grandchildren, who nominated the couple on behalf of the other relatives in their generation including Gary, Cory, Danielle and Lewis, explained how Tommy has had a long battle with various cancers and also suffered a stroke last year.

Despite his ill-health, Tommy kept supporting them wherever and whenever he could.

The couple, who have three sons, moved to Alva more than 50 years ago and have been living in the area ever since.

Margaret said she is looking forward to taking a break from responsibilities and enjoying some of the prizes with Gemma telling her: “It will be nice for you to get spoilt for a change, rather than doing it for all of us.”