A TAVISTOCK woman who has dedicated her life to caring for her brain-injured daughter has narrowly missed out of being given the Carer of the Year title at a national award ceremony.

Mary Kelly, 58, was one of only three finalists from across the UK competing for the title in the Headway Annual Awards 2008.

She was announced as the runner-up at a glittering awards ceremony organised by the brain charity at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

Ron Payne, of West Woodburn, was named Carer of the Year while Mary received a certificate from actor and comedian Tim Vine.

Mary, who is a trained nurse at Devonia Nursing Home in Yelverton, said: 'I came second out of all the people in the country — I was delighted with that as there are probably hundreds of other carers who wanted that award.

'Being at the ceremony was quite an experience — when I was there I just thought "Wow", as it really was glittering.'

Mary's daughter, Louise, was just nine-years old when one evening, complaining of a headache, she fell into a coma due to an undetected brain tumour.

Louise remained in the coma for five weeks and had sustained global brain damage.

She was in and out of hospital for the next three months. She temporarily lost her sight, which did not return for three months, and was paralysed down her right side.

Mary immediately put her career on hold to care for her daughter. Louise's brain injury meant that she had poor short-term memory and affected speech for three years. Mary's care and support helped Louise pass both her GCSEs and A-level exams.

Now 28, Louise attends Headway Plymouth, part of the national charity that works to improve life after brain injury, as well as volunteering at Oxfam in Tavistock for three days a week.