MIDWIFE Janice Knights has taken delivery of a new award, after a vote of thanks from a grateful mum.

The Thirsk-based community midwife has been named regional winner for the North of England in a search to find the Midwife of the Millennium by toy makers Mamas and Papas.

Tomorrow, she will go forward to the national final, where eight regional winners will compete for the £1,000 top prize, as well as £1,000 worth of equipment for their unit.

Janice, a midwife for 22 years, was nominated by new mum Wendy Turner, who praised her professionalism and friendly manner. Wendy will accompany Janice to the final at Huddersfield.

Janice said: "As a midwife you look after people ante-natally, in labour and also post-natally.

"You tend to know the whole family and it is lovely when people come up to me in the street with their children and tell them that I delivered them."