Barby Keel nomination

She has been nominated for the Animal Action Awards run by The People newspaper to be announced in October.

The awards are run in conjunction with the International Fund for animal Welfare and will be presented by TV presenter Shauna Lowry at a ceremony in London.

Barby, now 73, has devoted her life to caring for animals and set up her own sanctuary in Freezeland Lane 37 years ago.

Asked how she felt about the nomination Barby this week said: "Not a lot...it means I'd have to wash and go up to London, and I can't be doing that!"

She added: "It is nice being nominated, but I couldn't do any of it without the rest of them - my motley crew."

Barby has at present some 35 volunteers at the sanctuary who help her with the daily task of caring for hundreds of rescued animals and birds.

She said: "You know me...I am not into all the flannel. Put it this way, I am doing a job I love doing, and I couldn't do it without my motley crew. They are doing even more than ever now because I can't do so much now - I've got a lot creakier and it is frustrating now I get tired more quickly.

"I am pleased that someone nominated me - if it honours me, it honours all of them as well. But I am doing a job I love, and I love my animals...they are my life."