MIDWIFE Janice Knights took delivery of a special award after a vote of thanks from a mum.

The Thirsk-based community midwife was named regional winner for the North of England in a search to find the Midwife of the Millennium by baby gear manufacturers Mamas and Papas.

She was pipped at the post in the national finals on Friday but is still proud to have the regional title under her belt.

Janice, a midwife for 22 years, was nominated by new mum Wendy Turner, who praised her support and professionalism and friendly and manner.

Janice said: "Obviously I was very honoured to be nominated. I enjoy my job and as a community midwife. You look after people ante-natally and in labour and also post-natally.

"At the end of it you tend to know the whole family and look on them as friends and it is lovely when people come up to me in the street with their children and tell them that I delivered them."