THE stars of East Lancashire's hospitals have been praised for the amazing job they do.

Staff from across the medical profession have been honoured at the annual the trust’s Star Awards.

A total of 16 awards were presented to teams and individuals across the organisation for their talent and dedication.

Hundreds were in attendance and were cheering the winners on throughout the night.

Host Kevin McGee, the trust’s chief executive, said: “Our Star Awards are an incredible opportunity to celebrate and recognise the high quality standard of care that staff deliver to so many patients across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

“The judging panel were blown away with the nominations this year, as was I.”

Winners were presented with the awards at a ceremony at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-Le-Moors.

After more than 300 nominations, candidates were interviewed by an independent panel of experts made up of patient groups, NHS commissioners and public governors.

Louise Bardon, who works in maternity services at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, picked up the Compassionate Care Award.

She said: “It’s just a real privilege just to be nominated and shortlisted for this.

“We look after so many special patients and my colleagues are just amazing.”

The Employee of the Year prize was won by Eileen Whitehead.

The training midwifery practitioner at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital said: “I can’t believe it. I do hope in some small way that I have made a difference, that’s the most important thing.”

Ross Dawson, who won the Non-clinical Worker of the Year prize for his work in cancer services at Blackburn, said: “I didn’t really expect to win at all."