A NURSERY founder is calling on residents' votes to help her team bring home a national award.

Wells House Kindergarten, in Stoneclough, has been named as a finalist in the National Nursery Recognition Awards.

Owned and managed by couple Tina and Phillip Knight, the nursery has been providing full-time childcare for families in the area for more than 24 years.

Wells House, in Ringley Road, has been shortlisted for the Best Independent Nursery category, alongside five other finalists. It is now down to a public vote to decide the winners.

The awards aim to recognise the best nurseries and childcare providers across the country.

Nursery founder Tina Knight said: "I am extremely proud of the team here at Wells House and I would like to say a huge thank you to them, the parents and of course the children, for making us an amazing place to learn and grow.

"Childcare is a challenging but rewarding profession. Being named as a finalist in the National Nursery Recognition Awards makes all the hard work worthwhile.

"I hope that families in the area will vote for us over the next few weeks so that we can bring the award home to Radcliffe and Bolton."

The 52-year-old has more than 30 years' childcare experience after opening her first private nursery when she was just 21. Tina also works as a nursery consultant, helping other organisations.

Wells House is rated 'Good' by Ofsted and currently has 120 children on the books, aged up to five years old.

In 2014, the Kindergarten became the first 'Mindfulness Nursery' in the region, recognising the importance of good mental health for the younger generation.

Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in Leicester on January 26, 2019.

To vote for Wells House Kindergarten visit http://nationalnurseryawards.co.uk/nominate/vote.