A midwife who helped a first-time mum care for her tiny premature baby has been nominated for a top national award.

Wendy Middleton, who works at Bradford Royal Infirmary, has been nominated for the Dettol Community Nurse of the Year award 2005. The neo-natal outreach midwife was nominated by patient Claire Jackson who received support from Wendy following the birth of her premature baby Ben.

Tiny Ben, who is Claire's first child, was born at Bradford Royal Infirmary weighing just 1lb 6oz after his mum suffered pre-eclampsia 26 weeks into her pregnancy. "He was just over the length of a man's hand," said Claire, 37, of Pagewood Court, Thackley. "And he was in hospital for 16 weeks.

"Ben had a list of things wrong with him as long as my arm, including chronic lung disease and problems with his kidneys and blood pressure. Being a first-time mum is scary enough but being a first-time mum of a premature baby is such a shock.

"Wendy made herself known to me while Ben was still in the unit at BRI and took an interest in how Ben was doing.

"When he came home she would visit me and provide me with the confidence to deal with my premature son. She is so patient, caring and knowledgeable. Even when Ben had hospital appointments Wendy would go to the hospital and sit in the appointments. If the doctors said anything I didn't understand, she could relay it back to me later."

Ben is now 13 months and weighs just 13lb 11oz. But he is doing well.

Wendy, 54, said: "I was very surprised when I found out I had been nominated but very pleased. We are a small community outreach team at BRI's neonatal unit and it's nice we have been recognised."

The mum-of-four, from Elland, has been nursing for more than 30 years.

Nomination for the award will close on August 12. To nominate someone, visit www.dettolnurse.co.uk or call 0207 4790482.

The award was set up to reward exceptional health visitors, midwives and community nurses.