A HUDDERSFIELD nursery owner has won an award for her dedication to childcare.

Rosemary Murphy runs the Portland Nursery Group, which has several childcare sites in Huddersfield.

She has been given an award for special achievement by Nursery Management Today magazine.

Until March, Mrs Murphy was chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association.

She had been with the charity for 10 years.

It supports childcare providers with the aim of raising standards of early years education.

Mrs Murphy was chosen for the gold award for achievement in the nursery sector from hundreds of childcare workers across the country.

It was presented by James Tweed, the editor of the magazine.

He said Mrs Murphy was chosen because she was passionate about improving standards.

He said: "We are delighted to play our part in acknowledging the key role that Rosemary Murphy has played in galvanising the day nursery sector over the past decade. "This special award was presented in recognition of Rosemary's drive for excellence in childcare."

Purnima Tanuku, the association's current chief executive, said: "All staff, trustees and members are delighted that Rosemary has received this award. We wish her well."

Mrs Murphy said she was thrilled to receive the award.

She said: "I am overwhelmed. Thank you to everyone who has worked with me and supported me over the years."