A wildlife-loving veterinary nurse is in the running for a national award for her work caring for poorly wild animals.

Lucy Kells has been nominated by colleagues at the Wildlife Aid Foundation in Leatherhead.

The 36-year-old, who is referred to by some she works with as the 'Florence Nightingale of the animal world', has been shortlisted for Vet Nurse of the Year in the Petplan Vet Awards 2012.

The awards find the nation’s most exceptional vets, vet nurses, vet practices and support staff and are run by the UK’s largest pet insurer.

Mrs Kells has worked in the industry for 21 years and at the Foundation for the last two.

On her nomination, she said: "I was very shocked and touched that people had thought of me for this award and it is an absolutely wonderful feeling. I feel very proud to do the work I do and to have recognition of that is indescribable. I am really moved by it and hope that I am lucky enough to win the award, but it is a big honour just to be one of the finalists.

"My job is my life - even my poor husband knows he takes second place to it.

"Animals, getting them better, and getting them back out into the wild is what I do it for. These animals don't have owners who can pay their bills. Everything we do is for their benefit.

"We had a frog in yesterday and it was great to get her better, when she had come to us with all her intestines hanging out.

"I have always wanted to work with wildlife, it has always been my dream."

She added: "At the Wildlife Aid Foundation everybody works extremely hard and I would like to thank all the members and volunteers who nominated me - if I could nominate them for an award for all the support they provide to us, I would do the same."

Mrs Kells is due to hear whether she has won the award during the next couple of weeks.