LELEITH Gayle is over the moon after being named Carer of the Year.

Leleith, 55, of Thornton Lodge, has won a break for two at the Marriott Hotel in Edinburgh. She was chosen after a phone poll by Examiner readers.

The competition was run by the Examiner, Kirklees Council and Carers Gateway.

Leleith, who was nominated by best friend Janet Bentley, was told of her win at a presentation lunch at Prego's restaurant in Brighouse.

She said: "I am so shocked to have won. I have never been to Edinburgh before so I am looking forward to it.

"A break will be so lovely, but I have no idea who I am going to take yet!"

Leleith has never left home because she has spent years caring for her parents.

This began when her mother, Beryl Johnson, went blind. Mrs Johnson, 84, died in October 2004 but Leleith stayed at home to continue caring for her 71-year-old father Valdes Johnson.

Mr Johnson is diabetic and in a wheelchair after having a leg amputated due to the illness. He has also had a stroke and is blind in one eye.

Leleith visits every day to make sure the house is clean, her father has good meals and that his blood sugar levels are correct. She also gives him insulin injections.

As well as caring for her parents, Leleith has held a full-time job as a psychiatric nurse.

She worked at Storthes Hall Hospital, Kirkburton, before moving to St Luke's Hospital at Crosland Moor, in 1984.

Leleith's daughter Marie, 34, lives in Fartown and has followed in her mother's nursing footsteps - she works on Ward 11 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Marie has a 23-month old son, Louis Dean Gibson, who Leleith looks after on a regular basis.

She said: "When my mum died it was awful, but Louis inspired us all. My family keep me really busy but I know they will be delighted that I have won this competition."

Leleith received her prize from the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Donald Firth. The other nominated carers received prizes including a meal at Da Sandro Pizzeria, haircuts at Toni and Guy or tickets to the Huddersfield Giants' rugby league games.

The idea of the competition was to celebrate National Carers' Week, which highlights the fact that unpaid carers need a break from stresses and strains - since they are saving the Government £57bn a year. There are 40,000 unpaid carers in Kirklees.