A paediatrician who runs a UK charity supporting health education in Kenya has been named Junior Doctor of the Year.

Dr Dan Magnus, 32, who works at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, was nominated secretly by his wife Kerri, an A&E sister. He was one of three finalists named at the British Medical Journal awards last week out of 600 nominees from all over the world.

The Maidenhead Reform Synagogue member is also a co-founder of the Kenyan Orphan Project, which runs health and social welfare projects for orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya, and lectures on global child health at Bristol Universities.

He said: "I think the judges were looking for someone who juggles not just their work but also projects they care deeply about. It's very flattering. The other two nominees were amazing doctors. When you work hard for something you believe in passionately, you don't imagine that there will be any reward or acknowledgement. It's amazing to be recognised for something you care about.

"My wife, Kerri, deserves a lot of thanks not just for putting up with me, but also for nominating me for the award. I think she was pretty pleased when I won."

Dr Stephen Jones, consultant paediatrician and clinical lead for paediatrics in Bath, said: "Dan is an exceptional doctor and human being and it's a real privilege to work with him. He's the kind of person you only meet once or twice in your life."