A CARE worker who devoted his spare time to helping a terminally ill man has won a top award for his efforts just days before the man died of his illness.

John Kershaw, from Bilsborrow, near Preston, was voted Carer of the Month from Preston Carewatch -- where he is a volunteer -- and went on to scoop the charity's national award.

The prestigious accolades are in recognition of John's tireless work with cancer sufferer Wynford Scarr, of Driscoll Street, Deepdale, Preston, who died on Wednesday (July 4).

John said: "Although I'm very pleased to have won the award I'm devastated that Wynford has died. He was in a bad way and bedridden. On Monday I had to get the doctor out because he had breathing difficulties and it was clear then that he didn't have long to go."

The former Walton-le-Dale High School pupil has been a voluntary carer for Carewatch, in Church Street, for around a year.

He was assigned to the Wynford's welfare and noticed a lump on the back of his neck around seven months ago.

After tests Wynford was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus about two months ago and doctors told John there was nothing they could do.

Since that time John, who was a Royal Preston Hospital porter for 15 years, has spent his spare time caring for Wynford, to make his last days as comfortable as possible. He said: "Wynford never knew how long he had left. But all I could do was make him content. I used to buy him nutrient drinks with a straw and he'd have them one after the other.

"He thought the more he drank the better he would get. He'd say 'We'll fight this together John'.

"I saw him the night before he died and was going around at 11am on Wedensday but got a call to say he's died earlier that morning. He was a lovely man and had lived independently all his life. I'll miss him very much."

Care manager of Preston Carewatch, Susan Gooch, said: "John cared for the man in his spare time, and he has done all sorts to help him. The award is definitely much deserved because of his level of concern."