A doting dad is in the running for a national award for his dedication to his partner and daughter.

Dave Hodkinson from Northwich has been nominated for the Bepanthen Doting Dad Award which recognises dads who have gone above and beyond to care and look after their family during a difficult pregnancy or birth.

Dave and his partner Megan Diver faced a traumatic time when Megan was admitted to hospital with pre-eclampsia on the day the couple received the keys to their new home. Just days later, after Megan had to have an emergency C-section, their daughter Grace was born at Leighton Hospital at 32 weeks weighing just 2lb 15oz.

Devoted Dave was by Megan’s side every step of the way, giving Grace her first kiss and changing her first nappy while Megan was ill on morphine for the next few days.

She remembered: “He would visit Grace and then come straight over to see me and tell me how she was doing. He would take photos and videos and show me until I was well enough to visit myself and spend all day in hospital sharing time between us both.

“When visiting hours were over he would go and see our daughter for as long as he could during the night, even showering me when I couldn’t walk and take me back and to the NICU in a wheelchair.

“He was so caring and I appreciate everything he did for us. He was also self-employed at the time and took unpaid time off work to help care for us both. Even when he had to go back to work once I was on my feet he would meet me at the hospital to see Grace at 8pm at night so he could see her for a few hours straight after work,” added Megan.

Dave’s selfless actions will be recognised at The Tommy’s Awards on March 11 at the Landmark Hotel in London at a ceremony presented by TV presenter Katy Hill.

The Tommy’s Awards recognise heroes of families who’ve have been touched by pregnancy complications, or the loss of a baby. Each year in the UK, one in four parents lose a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.