​Foster dad Phil Martin has earned himself a nomination in this year’s Pride of Gloucestershire Community Awards.

Teenager Luke Barnes put him forward as a thank you for all the love and care he has shown him over the years.

Luke, 17, who suffers from autism, has been moved in and out of homes for most of his life, but has now spent the past five years living with Phil in Cheltenham.

“Phil has helped me a lot.

“He’s the best foster dad I’ve ever had,” he said.

Phil has been nominated in the Caring Hero category of the Pride of Gloucestershire awards put together by the Gloucestershire Echo and its sister title, The Citizen.

Now in their fourth year, there are seven categories to choose from – Local Hero, Brave Heart Hero, Community Project, Caring Hero, Environmental Hero, Public Sector Hero and, for the first time, Volunteer Hero.

Phil has been fostering children for the past 14 years, sometimes looking after four youngsters at a time.

The 58-year-old said: “I’m delighted to be nominated. It’s not something I expected at all.”

Echo editor Kevan Blackadder said: “There are so many caring people out there looking after others and putting their needs before their own.

“These awards are about recognising people like Phil and giving them the recognition they truly deserve.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible and urge readers to get nominating, whether that’s for a caring hero who’s looked after them in their hour of need or a volunteer whose work is benefiting others within the community.”

A glitzy award ceremony will take place at Gloucester Rugby, Kingsholm, on June 25 when 2010’s winners will be announced.