WITH SLIDESHOW: A community midwife praised for going beyond the call of duty has been crowned Midwife of the Year for Lincoln.

Frances Franklin (50) received the most votes out of 15 city-based midwives nominated for the city branch of the National Childbirth Trust's annual awards.

She was awarded the title in a ceremony held in the antenatal clinic at Lincoln County Hospital yesterday.

The branch runs the competition annually and the number of nominations received from new parents rose to 151 this year.

Mrs Franklin has been a midwife for 26 years and her current role is community midwife at Boultham Park medical practice. She received more than 20 nominations.

"The relationship you build up with the ladies by working in the community is so special," said Mrs Franklin.

"When you're in a community environment you are a visitor in their home, so it's totally different relationship than when they come to hospital.

"More women are having home births too so my work is very varied. I see ladies from when they find out they are pregnant as well as doing home births and post-natal care."

Chris Harding (33), a community midwife based at the SureStart Children's Centre on Ermine East, Lincoln, was a runner-up in this year's competition.

Click here to view a slideshow of pictures from the presentation ceremony

To find out who received commendations see Friday's Lincolnshire Echo