BLUE Cross horse welfare expert Jenna Martyn has been been named the national Animal Charity Employee of the Year.

Miss Martyn, who works at the charity’s Burford centre, found out she had won the title at the Petplan and Association of Dogs and Cats Homes Animal Charity Awards in Birmingham on Thursday.

She didn't know that her boss, Stuart Insley, had nominated her for the award.

She came out on top from a shortlist of three, after 298 people were nominated for the award.

She said: “It was an amazing shock.”