A KIND-hearted Kidderminster woman has been nominated for a prestigious BBC award for her voluntary work helping children with special needs.

Susan Perks, 60, of Coventry Street, has taught gymnastics to youngsters with learning and physical disabilities for more than 20 years.

She is one of five nominees for the BBC Midlands Sports Unsung Hero award, which recognises individuals who voluntarily give their time and talent to help others participate in sport.

A judging panel, made up of a cross-section of BBC sports staff and other local experts, will decide the regional winner, to be announced on December 7.

If she scoops the prize, Mrs Perks will be invited to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event in Liverpool on December 14.

She said: “It’s all very exciting to be nominated and I am very proud. I have been doing this for so long that I didn’t expect to be up for an award.”

Mrs Perks runs gymnastics lessons for youngsters with special needs every week at Baxter College in Kidderminster, as part of the Special Olympics Worcestershire group.

The group holds classes across the county in a variety of Olympic-type events for children and adults with learning and physical difficulties.

Mrs Perks was nominated for the award by Andrew and Rebecca Keeley, parents of Thomas, who is a member of the gymnastics group.

After training as a teacher in 1970, Mrs Perks worked in special needs from the beginning of her career.

“I always knew I wanted to help children with special needs,” she said, “I get so much pleasure from watching my students progress and gain new successes.”

One of her pupils, 14-year-old Sophie Lane, won four medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai in October last year. “It was very special to see her compete over there,“ she enthused. “I had taught her since she was three years old and it was fantastic to see her develop.”

Mrs Perks contracted polio at four years old and was urged to do regular exercise to build up her muscles, to enable her to walk and lead a normal life.

She went on: “This gave me a taste for exercise and I never looked back after that. I took up ice skating, roller skating, gymnastics and dancing and it did me the world of good.”

Her busy agenda also includes teaching gymnastics to people aged between 60 and 65 with learning difficulties and taking lessons at Wyre Forest Gymnastics School.

Tony, her husband, said the family was “delighted she can finally be recognised for all her good work”.

He added: “Susan is very quiet and unassuming but she is totally dedicated to children of all ages. She really deserves this.”