A VETERAN animal campaigner has been honoured for her work saving and caring for neglected and abandoned dogs and cats with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ann Lilly, from Brompton, Northallerton, known as Sister Lilly will be 101 in January but continues her lifelong work helping animals.

She was one of the first radiographers in the country working and training others in Middlesbrough and at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

Her passion for helping animals meant she became heavily involved in setting up the Jerry Green Centre for cats and dogs at Catton, near Thirsk.

She also featured in the world-famous James Herriot novels as Sister Rose, a nurse who helped abandoned animals. Author Alf Wight, who wrote the James Herriot novels, opened the Jerry Green centre.

Her achievements were acknowledged at the Animal Hero Awards, sponsored by the Daily Mirror and the RSPCA, held at the Langham Hotel in London.

The event recognized and celebrated the country’s bravest animals and individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to improve the life of animals. Sister Lilly was honoured for her extraordinary dedication.

Her fundraising and rescue work go back to the 1950’s, she is still heavily involved and carries on her work through the Sister Lilly Animal Foundation Trust which was established to ensure the care of neglected and rescued animals continues.