THE founder of an East Huntspill-based charity scooped a national award at the weekend.

Pauline Kidner, who founded Secret World Wildlife Rescue in 1992, won the CEVA Charitable Contribution of the Year award for her commitment to making her difference to animal welfare.

The Somerset charity said: "All of us at Secret World Wildlife Rescue are so proud of our fantastic founder Pauline.

"Congratulations Pauline - you're an inspiration to us all."

The charity began life in the kitchen of Pauline's farmhouse, when she began to take in sick, injured and orphaned animals.

It has gone from strength to strength since then, to the point where - in 2018 - it cared for more than 5,300 wild animals and provided telephone advice to around 12,000 members of the public who had found animals in distress.

Reacting to her award win, Pauline told the Weekly News: "I'm embarrassed but proud.

"I think it [the award recognition] helps the animals we look after, but it's only been achieved with lots and lots of people helping me.

"Without our supporters and donors, we couldn't do it."

Pauline provided further evidence of her commitment to animal welfare last week, when she and her son Simon helped to rescue a badger which had fallen into Bristol Harbour.

The badger had fallen into the water near the SS Great Britain, and had spent around two hours struggling to stay afloat.

Eventually the Kidners were able to fish the badger out, and took it back to East Huntspill to recover.

The badger - which has now been identified as female, having originally been thought to be male - has been enjoying the warmth of a heat lamp at Secret World, but is set to be released back home this week.

For more information about Secret World Wildlife Rescue, visit its website here.