After 18 years working the graveyard shift, Leita Honey still digs her job.

The 60-year-old will retire from her role as cemeteries manager and registrar at Canterbury City Council in July, bringing down the curtain on a 38-year-career in local government.

But one more accolade could be heading her way before she passes on the mantle: Local Government Council Worker of the Year 2009.

Leita, of Salisbury Road, Canterbury, has been nominated for the award in recognition of the compassion she has displayed to bereaved families and her positive impact on fellow employees.

She said: “Since starting as cemeteries manager and registrar in 1991, I’ve enjoyed every single day of the job.

“It encompasses so many things that interest me, from the care of people when they have lost a loved one, maintenance of the buildings and gardens, to improving our services and facilities.”

Listen: Leita reacts to being nominated for the award

After joining the council in 1971, Leita began her career as a shorthand typist for Bridge and Blean rural district council, before working as a secretary for the local housing officer in 1974.

In 1976, she made “one of her best ever decisions”, when moving to the city engineer's department.

During her career, she has witnessed the refuse strike of 1976, been involved in numerous public inquiries and seen how plans for the city’s first multi-storey car parks and the Whitefriars Shopping Centre went from architects’ drawings to bricks and mortar.

You can vote for Leita online by clicking here, click on 'caring 2009' on the right-hand side and look for Leita Honey. You can also vote by text, just send LGATV 5 LeitaH to 80039.

Texts are charged at usual network rate.