A FIRST-time mum has been shortlisted for a national award due to the success of her warts-and-all blog about the reality of having a baby.

Lucy Melissa Smith, of Thames Avenue, Leigh, has made the last 10 for a 2016 BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Award with the 25-year-old's Hello Beautiful Bear blog attracting a substantial amount of votes from her peers and the public.

The blog discusses her life and family and the pros and cons of being a parent, and Lucy has high hopes of being one of the five people chosen for the Fresh Voice category for the grand awards ceremony hosted by TV personality Carol Smillie in London on June 25.

The proud mum of 15-month-old Lily said: “I can’t quite believe I’m so close to the final.

"It’s such a great honour to get this far and be recognised as an influential parenting blogger."

Lucy started Hello Beautiful Bear as a baby blog last May.

She said: “I was just talking to my friend, telling her how I was struggling with Lily, and that made me think about writing about the reality of having a baby.

“So many blogs are about the nice side of motherhood but mine is about the good and the bad.

“I love being a 'stay at home mum', but I would say I’m more of a ‘work from home mum’.

"It's great because I earn from doing the blog but I’m home with my baby.

“I’m really excited about the future of blogging and the opportunities available for parents like myself to have their voices heard, offer advice and support and share their stories.

“It is a great alternative to a normal nine-to-five job.

I would advise people to give it a shot.” BritMums is the UK’s largest and most influential group of lifestyle bloggers and social influencers.

Its annual Brilliance in Blogging Awards has attracted more than 50,000 votes this year.

The shortlisted contenders for each of the 12 categories are decided by the votes but a panel of judges choose the overall winners.

For more information about Lucy’s blog visit hellobeautifulbear.com.