A woman who helps the families of stillborn and miscarried babies has received an award from the Prime Minister.

Megan McKay, of Dover, today became the latest recipient of the Points of Light volunteers' accolade.

She provides a service called Cherished Gowns UK, a charity creating funeral gowns for tragic children out of donated wedding dresses.

She began this after a friend lost her baby.

Ms McKay has created an entirely donation-funded system where more than 100 gowns can be made from one dress.

Since the charity began in September 2014 it has produced more than 350,000 items.

The clothes are supplied to all 237 UK hospitals with a maternity department.

They are offered for free to grieving parents though 1,200 volunteers.

Ms McKay's work is seen as helping ease the pain of families affected by the 3,430 stillbirths in the UK each year.

Paints of Light specifically recognises outstanding volunteers who make a change in their community and inspire others.

Each day one person in the country is selected and Ms McKay is the 916th recipient.

Theresa May told Ms McKay in a personal letter: “The clothing you provide for stillborn babies is providing comfort to grieving parents across the country.

"It is moving to hear how your compassion has inspired so many others to volunteer for the charity, ensuring even more families receive this support at such a devastating time in their lives.”

Ms McKay, the charity's co-founder and trustee chairman, said: “When I founded Cherished Gowns I had no real idea how large the charity would come to grow, or the huge impact that it would have not only to bereaved parents, but also on the taboo around stillbirth and baby loss.

" This charity relies solely on the support of volunteers and this award epitomises the hard work of every single of one of them.

"I am so grateful to everyone who has supported my passion for this service and I am excited to see how it will continue to grow.”

If you feel someone deserves a Points of Light award write to Mrs May via the website pointsoflight.gov.uk