A MOTHER-OF-TWO who campaigned to save school buses in Derby has been nominated for a Community Champions award.

May Mason has also been put forward for her work to protect the environment through Transition Derby.

Last May, the 40-year-old was part of action group Parents For School Buses, even though her children walked to school.

Some nights May would be up as late as 3am sending e-mails and doing work towards the campaign.

It was opposing plans to withdraw some city council-run buses from September 2010. The council hoped to save more than £280,000 by axing the services.

Although the campaign failed last July, May has been nominated for the Derby Telegraph award.

May, of Stiles Road, Alvaston, said: "In this day and age, it seemed to me an incredibly backward step because so many parents struggle in traffic in the school run.

"I did get a bit obsessed with the cause and could be up all night but it was an important issue.

"People don't always like to cause a fuss and can be a bit reluctant to speak up for what they believe in, which is why I wanted to help."

At the same time, May became involved with Transition Derby, a group set up tackle the issues of climate change.

She is a volunteer teaching people to have healthier lifestyles. Earlier this month, she was among 40 volunteers who dug up part of the grounds at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School to help grow vegetables.

She said: "I'm realising more and more this planet will be so different by the time my children grow up and I want to do something about it."

May was nominated by fellow campaigner Linda Winter, of Edge Hill, Chellaston.

She said: "May is a real example to others in the community.

"A lot of people can talk about a problem but May's the one who gets on and does something because she's so enthusiastic."

The Telegraph has teamed up with BBC Radio Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Derby City Council and Derby County FC for the Community Champions awards.

On Sunday, May 16, the 14 winners will attend a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium. Nominations have closed