CHEERY Linda Aryratna is just what the doctor ordered.

The big-hearted 49-year-old has been nominated for an award by colleagues at Middlesbrough General Hospital, where she is ward hostess on the spinal injuries unit and orthopaedic ward.

Staff put Linda's name forward for the national Unsung Hero Award 2000, sponsored by Norwich Union Healthcare.

Linda, from Acklam, Middlesbrough, goes above and beyond the call of duty, dishing up slices of hot toast to tempt patients with poor appetites to eat and looking after a group of elderly women patients who prefer to drink from their own china cups.

She washes, dries and returns the cups, slotting her kind acts into a busy schedule, and always has a smile and a kind word.

A colleague said: "The patients think the world of her, and the staff would love to see her get a big pat on the back."

Linda has beaten off stiff competition to become one of 12 regional winners, through to the national final. The winner will be presented with £1,000 and a trophy - plus another £1,000 for the employer - by Health Secretary Alan Milburn next month.

Mike Siomiak, managing director of Norwich Union Healthcare, said: "There are hundreds of examples of extraordinary dedication to looking after patients in all kinds of circumstances and of supporting the National Health Service. We are delighted Linda and the other regional finalists are being rewarded for all their hard work."

The national winner will be announced at Harrogate next month.