Mother-of-three Julia Nash has been recognised for helping her husband through five operations in five months - and raising £80,000.

And Julia, who received a civic award from Abbots Langley Parish Council, is now helping Pete to prepare for his sixth operation.

Pete has an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a collection of volatile blood vessels. He has undergone several operations in the past few months to have them removed.

Julia, of Water Lane, helped raise funds for the operations, after health bosses refused to fund them saying they were too risky.

She said: "I'm just doing what I would do for anyone I loved dearly. It's just been normal to do what I've done. It's really nice to think there are people out there who think I'm outstanding. I'm overwhelmed, it's wonderful."

To read more about Julia's story and about the other people recognised by the parish council, see tomorrow's Watford Observer.