A cancer nurse from Droitwich is through to the final of a national competition to win the chance to tell people more about her job.

Marie Curie nurse Ann Brady is shortlisted for the Cancer Care Nurse Of The Year award, sponsored by bank Abbey.

The 57-year-old, of Princes Avenue, said she was delighted to have made it into the finals of the contest, which would give her the opportunity to become an ambassador for all her Marie Curie Nursing colleagues in England.

She said: "It's great to get through to the finals and I do hope that I can help raise the profile of the work of my Marie Curie nursing colleagues.

"I would like the chance to further people's understanding of our work because being a Marie Curie nurse is the most rewarding job I've ever had. You have time to care for people and his and her family and to get to know them."

This week, Miss Brady, who is single and does not have any children, qualified as a nurse in 1971, joined other finalists in London for a two-day training and judging session, including media training to help her handle interviews should she go on to become Nurse Of The Year.

The winner will be announced in mid-May to coincide with International Nurses Day. They will receive prizes including a bursary, flowers and champagne.

Organisers Marie Curie Cancer Care stress that this is not a `best nurse competition' as all its nurses are special. The promotion aims to find a Marie Curie nurse able to help raise the profile of the charity's work and represent the nearly 2,500 nurses across the UK in the coming year.