A PENSIONER who has cared for her disabled daughter for almost 60 years has been named the Lancashire Telegraph’s Christmas Angel.

Mona Horsefield was nominated for the award by her friend Mary Manning, who thought the 89-year-old deserved recognition for her commitment to helping others.

She looks after her daughter Valerie, who suffers mobility problems because of complications when she was born, as well as helping out in the community and at St George’s Church, in the Mill Hill area of Blackburn. Mrs Horsefield, of Brookway, said: “Winning has taken my breath away. Whoever said I could have all of these prizes is wonderful.

“When I am helping people, I do not think about it and when it comes to you taking it, it is so different.

“I have helped a lot of people, but I am only ordinary like anybody else.

“Valerie says that I am a terrific mum, the best mum in the world, but she is the best daughter and I love her with every part of me.”

Among the host of prizes Mrs Horsefield was given as part of the Telegraph competition, in conjunction with The Mall, in Blackburn and Blackburn Markets, were a fruit basket from Scott Stewart's Fruit and Veg, an iPod docking station donated by Ainsworths and a £50 voucher for Crawfords Cards.

Mary, who met widow Mrs Horsefield as a carer but continued to visit the pair long after they needed her help, said: “They have made the right choice because Mona has never had anything, but she is always helping people.

“She is amazing!”

Debra Houldsworth, deputy commercial manager at Blackburn Markets, said: “It was a pleasure meeting Mona, she is a wonderful lady.

“She is definitely one special angel.”