GREAT-GRAN Joan Meredith has won a top award.

Joan, 73, from Lindley, has been named as volunteer of the year at a pioneering Baby Cafe, but she admits: It's a labour of love.

The cafe in Halifax, run by the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, promotes breast-feeding in a comfortable environment for new mums.

A similar cafe runs each Monday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm at the Chestnut Centre in Deighton.

Mrs Meredith was nominated by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust's Infant Feeding Advisor Marilyn Rogers, who runs the cafe.

Marilyn said: "Joan is a friendly face and always looks after our mums.

"She is also a great grandma and has that wordly-wise component."

Mrs Meredith became involved with the cafe when she brought her own granddaughter Aislinn Lynch and her new baby George for support.

George, now 17 months old, had a soft palate and had difficulty in feeding.

Mrs Meredith said: "Aislinn was having difficulty so we went along to the cafe and it was wonderful.

"It is lovely to see all the new babies come in with mums who are often very stressed. You can see them relax and benefit from the advice they get.

"They like it so much they keep coming back. It was a real surprise and an honour to get the award".

Marilyn added: "A lot of mums do not live near their own mums anymore and they really appreciate her support and advice.

"Joan is a real asset to us and we couldn't function without her."

The Baby Cafe is based in Baby Ballet in Square Road, Halifax, and meets every Thursday morning from 9am until 12. All breastfeeding mothers are welcome to drop in.