A volunteer who has spent nearly ten years helping sick children at a Bradford hospital has been honoured with a prestigious award from a top charity.

Pat Sheard, 72, has been visiting the paediatric wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary once a week for the past nine-and-a-half years.

Her hard work has been recognised with the award of the medal of the Order of Mercy.

The award is given by the League of Mercy, a charity founded in 1899 to encourage and recognise voluntary work.

Mrs Sheard said she thought the letter inviting her to the award ceremony in London was a joke by her grandsons, so she rang the volunteering office to check what it was about.

"I hadn't a clue that they had nominated me and different wards had written about me and why I should get the award. I was flabbergasted," she said

Chris Johnson, manager of chaplaincy services for Bradford Hospitals, nominated Mrs Sheard for the award.

"She is extremely committed to it - she has got to know a lot of people and they have welcomed her on the ward and into their lives in many ways," he said.

"It is not an easy area of work and she has made an outstanding contribution to the wards."

Mrs Sheard, of Elmfield Drive, Odsal, spends a couple of hours a week at the hospital talking to parents and children.

She said: "With the teenage children, I say to them you didn't expect a dolly bird to come and see you this afternoon and they start laughing, and I ask them why they're laughing! I get on quite well with them.

"The little ones are lovely. The parents are so anxious about them. Very often children suddenly become poorly and within three weeks they are better and running about laughing."

Louise Cavell, paediatric ward manager paid tribute to Mrs Sheard.

"Pat has always got a smile for the children, but most importantly a listening ear and time to spend with them," she said.

Mrs Sheard travelled to London to receive her award from Sir Robert Balchin, president of the League of Mercy.

"She is a marvellous example of someone who has given distinguished voluntary service to her community and we were delighted to be able, on the recommendation of her charity, to make this well deserved award," he said.