A five-year-old boy from Carlisle has been named a "super sibling" - and is now up for a national award.

James Edgar, from Carleton, was aged three when his twin siblings - Jude and Lottie - arrived nine weeks early.

Brother Jude was then rushed from Carlisle to Sunderland's neonatal intensive care unit with a collapsed lung.

James didn’t see his parents Suzie and Andrew for over a week while they were by the twins' cots in hospital.

After four weeks the twins came home - but shortly after Jude stopped breathing and was rushed back into hospital again.

He needed a blood transfusion and a week in intensive care, but again James amazed his parents by allowing them to put his little brother first without getting upset or jealous.

This attitude, at such a young age, prompted mum Suzie Edgar to nominate James for the Tommy’s Center Parcs Super Sibling Award.

It celebrates a big brother or sister who has proven wise beyond their years after the early arrival or a new brother or sister.

The entry impressed judges and he has now been shortlisted for the baby charity's national awards.

Suzie said: “Throughout the whole experience James was amazing.

"He missed us terribly but was so loving when he saw us and asked after his brother and sister constantly, when they came home.

"He wasn't jealous or awkward and helped me as much as he could and cuddled and kissed his little brother and sister.

"It was almost as though he 'understood' what we were going through and in his own way helped us through."

She added: "James is an amazing big brother to his siblings and never grumbles at the amount of time we spend with the them.

"Instead, he just helps and joins in - in my eyes James is an absolute star, he coped incredibly well with a number of traumatic situations.

"He is my absolute hero and I know the twins feel exactly the same.”

The Tommy’s Awards categories are for Super Sibling, Doting Dad, Healthcare Hero, Courage, Angel, Inspirational Mum, Little Champion and Mum's Voice.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 24 in London.

The Tommy’s Awards also recognise the best family-friendly companies, who are nominated and voted for by the public.