A SCOTTISH charity worker has become the first person from Ayrshire to receive a global humanitarian award created in honour of the region's most famous son, Robert Burns.

Blanche Nicolson, from the charity Hansel, was named as the 2014 winner of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award at a ceremony at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway on the poet's birthday.

Ms Nicolson was given the accolade for her efforts to continue the humanitarian work her parents started 50 years ago.

Her sister Lindy was born with Down's Syndrome and, concerned for her future, her parents, Isobel and Tom Murdoch, founded Hansel, which provides services and support to people living with learning disabilities.