Award-winning Thurnscoe care worker Marie Danforth says that she does not even consider her work as a job.
Marie, 59, picked up the Care Home Worker Award for the Yorkshire and Humberside region at a ceremony held at York's Railway Museum.
Marie, of Saxon Street, has been at the Dearne Hall Care Home in Bolton for two years but has more than 25 years of experience in the field.
She couldn't believe she had been nominated, let alone won the title.
"It's been better than winning the X Factor for me," she said.
"I absolutely love the elderly and look after my mother too. It's a 24-7 thing for me but I don't mind.
"I work hard but I love my job and the people that I work with."
Marie has now been shortlisted for the national prize which will be handed out early next year at a ceremony in London.
Christine Miller, the deputy manager at the same centre, was also shortlisted for the regional award.
