A community psychiatric nurse from Chippenham has been nominated for the Unsung Hero of the NHS Award.

Sarah Westover, 39, a senior practitioner in mental health, is based at Rowden Hill House in Chippenham.

She received a letter this month saying she had been nominated for the Daily Mail Unsung Hero of the National Health Service Award in the nurse category.

Mrs Westover was nominated anonymously by a client who lives in Colerne.

"I was very surprised when I first heard I had been nominated and a little concerned too," she said. "We work as a team here and I wasn't sure about being singled out but everyone is pleased for me and the award recognises the work the team does," added Mrs Westover, who has been working at Rowden Hill House for three years and has been in the NHS since 1983.

The client, who nominated her said Mrs Westover gave 110 per cent and took a lot of time to make sure she was alright.

"She is always available to speak to me, she really has my best interests at heart. I've been working with Sarah for three years and I'd be dead if it wasn't for her," Sarah's client said.

"Instead I'm well on the road to recovery and no longer self harm.

"This award is for NHS staff who give a lot, often go unrecognised and don't expect to be thanked that's Sarah," she said.

The winner of each category receives £5,000 and the outright winner will receive another £10,000. The award will be presented at an event in London in the New Year.

"It is not about awards and winning. I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from my work. It can be stressful, but there is a good team at Rowden Hill House and we support each other," said Mrs Westover.