A BARRY doctor has been crowned the UK-wide GP of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony.

Dr Elizabeth Davies, of Barry Island, has worked at Ravenscourt Surgery on Tynewydd Road for more than 30 years - and said she was delighted to win the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) award.

"I was absolutely amazed, and very honoured," she said.

"I was really glad that my daughters were there too."

The award commends GPs for the difference they make to patients' lives. Nominations are made by members of the public who feel that their GP has provided them with an outstanding level of care, above and beyond the call of duty.

The mother-of-four was nominated by her patient Beverley Motton.

"I felt incredibly humbled by everything she said about me," said Dr Davies, 60.

"I have known her mother, her grandmother, as well as her son and grandchildren -it's such a pleasure to work with families for such a long time.

"Beverley is an amazing person, and it was great that she and her husband were at the awards night."

Dr Davies, who studied at the then Welsh National College of Medicine in Cardiff, said her favourite part of the job was the relationships she built with patients.

"We have all these amazing people in Barry and I see them every day," she said.

"You have people that are struggling with huge problems, but they still maintain their dignity and self respect."