THE mum of a Bury soap star is urging people to honour the hidden stars of their local health services.

Edin Dunn - mother of Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in Coronation Street - began volunteering with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust after undergoing breast cancer surgery five years ago.

And her contribution was recognised with an Unsung Hero Award in 2016.

Now she is keen to see others who go above and beyond in non-medical services within the NHS acknowledged in a similar way.

The fifth Unsung Hero Awards will take place at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester on March 1 of next year, and are supported by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Former dressmaker Enid, who is still an active volunteer at 73, designs and creates beautiful, colourful fabric bags to discreetly carry the drain many breast cancer patients are fitted with when they are discharged from hospital.

Explaining the benefits of the awards, Enid, who lives in Larkfield Close, Greenmount, said: β€œIt means you're not just under the radar, you're lifted up - to be proud. Just for a moment you can think, I'm proud of myself thanks you very much."

Unsung Hero Awards organiser Tracy Scott added: "We know the doctors and nurses do brilliant, life-saving work. But the NHS could not function without a whole host of other employees and volunteers and these national awards are to give credit to deserving people who make a real difference, but aren't always heralded."

The awards celebrate the often-overlooked hard work of NHS non-medical staff members.

NHS staff and management, patients and members of the public are able to nominate candidates who they believe deserve recognition for their commitment.

From IT developers to HR staff, administrative assistants to speech therapists, porters to kitchen staff – all non-medical roles within the NHS are represented by the Unsung Hero Awards.

To nominate a candidate or team of candidates free of charge, visit www.unsungheroawards.com.