A NURSE who invented a device to help prostate cancer patients has won a national award.

Justine Whitaker, 36, was named Nurse of the Year by Nursing Standard magazine.

She also won the Innovation Award at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel and will be honoured at a reception by health secretary Patricia Hewitt.

Mrs Whitaker, from Newton-in-Bowland, Ribble Valley, devised a compression pouch that helps control swelling of the scrotum, reducing the need for nursing attention.

It is hoped the invention will help men throughout the world.

The mum-of-two is a Macmillan Nurse Specialist for East Lancashire NHS Primary Care Trust, providing healthcare in Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

She said: "I feel honoured. When I first started as a nurse, I never dreamed I would be in line for a top honour. The main thing is patients are benefiting.

"I'm so pleased the invention I came up with to ease pain and anxiety for patients has gained recognition and is available throughout much of the world.

"My idea was to help patients look after themselves more effectively, without the need for numerous clinical appointments or continuous home visits.

She went on: "I knew men with swollen scrotums were suffering from pain, discomfort, and often from embarrassment. Without going into too much detail, my compression pouch invention helps them a lot.

"I made the first ones at home and tried them out on some of my patients at East Lancashire Hospice. They impressed the patients and the clinical profession, and are now being manufactured for the UK, as well as three other European countries, and in Australia."

She said: "It allows patients to become more self-managing, and improves their life quality.

"It also saves on finance and resources for the NHS."

David Peat, PCT chief executive, said: "We are proud she has won this coveted award, which brings recognition for the sterling work she and her colleagues are doing."