A midwife has scooped a national award for her outstanding work in the community.

Wendy Middleton, who works in the Neonatal Outreach Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary has won the Midwife category of the Dettol Community Nurse of the Year Award 2005.

The 55-year-old midwife, who was selected from 15 finalists from across the UK, said: "This is like a dream for me, almost not real. I am so excited and absolutely delighted to have won this award."

Wendy was nominated by a patient, Claire Jackson, who felt the outstanding support she received after the premature birth of her son Ben, went beyond the call of duty and deserved national recognition.

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 to a premature baby was such a shock.

"Wendy understood my anxieties and was always there for me when I needed

to talk - nothing was too much trouble. Wendy is a fantastic person and

an excellent nurse who has been

my rock."

Award judges were impressed by Wendy's support for Claire after the birth of her son and they were touched by

the way in which she cared for

Claire in such a sensitive and understanding manner.

After Ben left the hospital, Wendy visited him on a regular basis and

was always at the end of the phone whenever Clare needed advice, even after Ben had been discharged from her care.

Wendy gave Clare advice on feeding, Ben's growth and how to treat him for minor illnesses such as chest infections, which sometimes occurred.

"Ben is now 18 months old and has got over his initial difficulties although

he's still very small," said Claire. "I don't know what I would have done through such a difficult time without Wendy."

They were also touched by the way in which she cared for Claire in such a sensitive and understanding manner.

As a category winner, Wendy will be

presented with a £500 professional

bursary, champagne and flowers.

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

Wendy said: "It was a surprise to be nominated and I am really thrilled to have got this far. We just do the job - it's just something you do every day.

"You are in people's lives and I don't think you realise how much it affects them. To hear what Claire said about me was unbelievable."

This year's panel of judges in the Dettol awards included last year's Community Nurse of the Year, Sharon Innes; chair of the Royal College of Nursing Practice Nurse Association Sue Nutbrown; and Community and District Nursing Association director Anne Duffy.