A HUDDERSFIELD woman has been praised for her "ground-breaking" work with young offenders.

Karina Hepworth, from Lascelles Hall, works for the Kirklees Youth Offending Team.

She received her commendation in the Nursing Standard Nurse 2004 Awards, for researching a test for undiagnosed learning difficulties among young offenders.

The work will have far-reaching consequences affecting the treatment and support of offenders.

Karina, 41, works for the South-West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust.

She qualified as a nurse in 1984 and has been in her current role for two years.

She became interested in learning disability nursing through charity work with the Riding For The Disabled group.

Prof David Sines, executive dean in the faculty of health and social care at London South Bank University, said: "Karina has undertaken an incredibly innovative project and shows a very well considered approach to her work.

"She is clearly a very dedicated and focused nurse, who believes in making a difference," he added.

"Karina has invested a great deal of time and effort in undertaking such a careful and groundbreaking project.

"Her approach has enormous potential and could easily be extended throughout the UK.

"I hope this commendation will enable her work to reach a wider audience."

The Nursing Standards Awards are well-established and highly-est- eemed in the profession.

They recognise the accomplishments of individual nurses whose work stands out as being significantly above and beyond the call of duty.

Karina will collect her certificate at an awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, on November 2, when the overall winner will also be revealed.