A “SUPERHERO” carer has made it through to the final of a national competition honouring the best staff in her profession.

Farnworth mother-of-four Rachel Gorse will be heading to Birmingham next month to represent the north west in the Great British Care Awards.

Mrs Gorse could be named best dementia carer nationwide at the prestigious prize-giving for the top workers in the care industry.

She has been a carer for 21 years and joined the staff at Bolton care provider Home Instead Senior Care more than two years ago.

But the 42-year-old, who is one of Home Instead’s most experienced members of staff, said her job never feels like work.

She said: “Caring is my life – I love it.

“I really enjoy getting to know all my clients. Dementia care can be a bit of a taboo subject and is often not diagnosed so it is intriguing to find out more about the condition.

“Caring for people in their own homes shows me the vast difference it makes when they can stay in their own surroundings.

“You also see the impact you have just coming in for a few hours a day when a partner or family member is a full-time carer.

“It lightens up a dementia patient’s day when they realise you have remembered who they are and are taking time out to see them.”

Mrs Gorse said it was "a complete surprise" when, after being nominated by her manager and peers, she won the north west heat of the competition in December.

Home Instead bosses say she is described as “wonderful” and “genuinely very caring” by clients, with one praising the “huge difference” she had made.

Steve Williams, co-owner of Home Instead in Bolton, said: “Rachel’s commitment to her clients is exemplary and she is already a winner in our eyes.

“We couldn’t be more proud of her for the amazing work she does for her clients. She really is an everyday superhero.”