A former community midwife, who had to leave her job when she was badly injured in a car accident, has been given a regional award for her work with victims of domestic violence.

Sharon Lay, 37, of Bartle Court, Wilsden, was named the Nivea Inner Beauty Award winner for Yorkshire and the North East.

She worked for the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as domestic violence midwife for Bradford and set up a training programme to be followed by people who work with victims of abuse.

An accident two years ago left her with a permanent neck injury and she was unable to continue with the job she loved.

She now volunteers as a guest speaker about domestic abuse on a police citizenship course for 10 to 11-year-olds.

She is also an independent visitor for children in foster care. She was nominated by her husband, David Lay.

He said: “Sharon absolutely loved her job and fought hard to create a support system to help the women she saw suffering domestic abuse.

“She is also a fantastic mum to our son and daughter, aged 13 and 11, and a perfect wife to me. She is an inspiration and deserves this award.”