Shropshire’s own “Mary Poppins” is celebrating after she was voted professional nanny of the year in a nationwide competition.Debbie Darnborough, of Marshbrook, near Church Stretton, was nominated by her employers after caring for their three children for more than a year.

Mrs Darnborough said: “It was absolutely lovely, it’s been wonderful and it still hasn’t really sunk in.

“I was absolutely convinced that it was one of the other girls.”

Now Mrs Darnborough will become a professional voice for the nanny industry.

She will also enjoy a four-star weekend break for two and a year-long free membership of Voice, the union for education professionals.

She said: “It seems like you can do as much as you want with this. I have already had an interview with a childcare magazine and they have asked me to do some writing for them as well.

“I think there are going to be a lot of opportunities. My employers are thrilled and I just know the kids are going to be really hyperactive when they find out, but it is back to reality now.”

Mrs Darnborough, who was selected from hundreds of others to receive the award, said she was thrilled that her employers had nominated her.

“It was lovely. It is really nice of them to show that they appreciate me,” she said.

The 26-year-old received the news during Voice’s Annual Conference in Daventry where she was presented with the accolade by the 2007 Professional Nanny of the Year, Heidi McFadyen.

Although her employers have had other nannies they felt Debbie deserved the award because she frequently does lots of extra duties including stop-overs.

Mrs Darnborough is also developing a nanny network website so people in the same profession can discuss ideas and issues they experience in the role.

By Sophie Bignall