A mum who has campaigned tirelessly to get justice for her son rubbed shoulders with the stars as she was handed a top award.

Wallington woman Maggie Hughes was one of seven women to be honoured at the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards held at a glitzy bash in London's Savoy hotel on Sunday.

Your Local Guardian: Robbie Hughes with his mum Maggie

Maggie Hughes with her son Robbie in hospital

Mrs Hughes, who won the achieving mum of the year award for her campaign to improve justice for victims of crime abroad after her son Robbie was attacked, found herself alongside stars like Colleen Rooney and Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.

Mr Hughes was brutally attacked while on holiday in the Greek resort of  Malia in 2008. His injuries left him needing brain surgery that involved removing half his skull. At one point Mrs Hughes was told her son only had a 10 per cent chance of surviving the operation but, against the odds, he pulled through.

However, the people responsible for the attack have still not been brought to justice and Mrs Hughes has found the process of dealing with foreign authorities frustrating, time consuming and expensive.

Her experiences prompted her to start campaigning for changes in the way victims of crime abroad are dealt with and even succeeded in getting European law changed.

Star Emma Willis, who presented the awards, described Mrs Hughes as "inspiring and courageous" and a spokesman for the panel of judges said: "Margaret’s tenacity in tirelessly campaigning for better help for victims of crime amazed us."

Mrs Hughes said she was "extremely happy" to win the award and added: "Whether the crime is an attack, murder, rape or kidnapping, they all have one thing in common – there is likely to be a family stranded in a foreign country without a clue where to turn or what to do next.

"No matter what the legal verdict turns out to be – guilty or not guilty – if you’ve been supported, advised and empowered and been given a voice to tell your side of the story then you can make your peace with the outcome and, hopefully, move forward."

Other award winners included Dame Storey, who was named celebrity mum of the year.

The ceremony will be shown on Channel 5 at 6.10pm on Sunday - Mother's Day.