AN "amazing" cub leader who transformed the life of a shy eight year old has been nominated in our Education Awards.

Jane Wilson was put forward in recognition of years of hard work with 9th Worcester Cubs, based in Hallow.

She was nominated by Kirsten Reeves who said she could not thank her enough for helping bring her son Archie out of his shell.

Mrs Reeves, from St John's, said Archie joined Mrs Wilson's pack as a nervous 8 year old who was feeling vulnerable after his Dad had been posted away with the Navy.

She said: "It's hard to put into words how good she has been.

"She's inspirational for the children and unique in how she knows them so well and knows their little idiosyncrasies.

"My son was a nervous eight year old.

"His Dad had just started a year's deployment with the Navy and he struggled to separate with me.

"He was a little bit anxious to start with but she soon turned him around.

"He came out of the cubs after three years with her a completely different child.

"Now he's confident and full of self-belief.

"She just made such a huge difference to him but it's on a wider scale because I know every parent who has a child go through with her feels the same."

Archie, now aged 11, said: "She is amazing.

"She does so much for everyone.

"She has changed my life.

"I used to be nervous and she helped me overcome that so I'll have a go at anything.

"I just want to say a big thank you to her."

Mrs Reeves nominated Mrs Wilson for the Community Involvement category, saying she went above and beyond to support youngsters in the community.

She said: "She gives them amazing opportunities and thinks up really exciting activities for them to do.

"Archie wasn't keen to go on a camp but she talked to him and persuaded him.

"She just gets the best out of them and makes them believe anything is possible and that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve.

"She really stands out.

"I want to say thank you for everything she's done for so many children over the years."

We have teamed up with the University of Worcester for the awards to celebrate the hard work quality, passion and dedication we know exist in our nurseries, schools and colleges and communities.

The Worcester News Worcestershire Education Awards cover all those who have an impact on our children's education including early years, schools, colleges or post-18 education and training providers.

Finalists will be rewarded with a black tie gala dinner and awards ceremony in June.

Nominations are open until Friday, April 7 and can be made by visiting worcesternews.co.uk/educationawards/nominate.