A mum from Maidenhead has been shortlisted for an award after surviving five miscarriages to successfully start a family and create her own business.

Rebecca de Jager, 35, is in line for an award from the charity Tommy's which finances research into miscarriages and still births.

The Costa Inspirational Mum Award recognises mothers who have triumphed after going through a difficult pregnancy journey.

Mrs de Jager, of Farmers Way, Maidenhead was nominated by friend Sara Doherty, 34, who lives in Langley.

She and husband Wouter, 36, suffered the grief of five miscarriages on the road to finally having their two sons.

While on maternity leave with her eldest son Hugo Mrs de Jager launched a business creating bespoke engraved gifts, including photo frames and chopping boards - called Hugo’s Workshop.

She donates money from every new baby frame sold through Hugo’s Workshop to Tommy’s. She has also gone on to participate in other fundraising activities too.

Her friend Sarah Doherty said: “Rebecca has run further than I can imagine running. She has done 10km runs, half marathons and a full marathon – all for Tommy's. She took it upon herself to organise 'marathon in a month' where she got around 60 people to each run a marathon over a month with all the sponsorship going to Tommy's. She does all this while working and being an incredible mum and woman.”

She will find if she has won the award at a ceremony on March 16 at the Landmark Hotel in London.

Each year in the UK, one in four parents lose a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. Every year, 60,000 babies are born prematurely.