Three decades of dedication to educating younger children could bring a top award for an Oxfordshire nursery teacher.

Lesley Neilson, who has been in the profession for 30 years, has been shortlisted as a 'lifetime achievement teacher' in the National Teaching Awards, a competition mainly sponsored by BT, which honours skills and commitment within the profession.

Mrs Neilson, who teaches at West Oxford Community Primary School in Ferry Hinksey Road, was nominated by a parent and now goes on to the regional finals in Winchester next month.

School head Julie St Claire Hoare said: "She's contributed lots to kids' and teacher training, and is very highly regarded."