SPECIAL women from across Rossendale will have the chance to shine at this year's prestigious Women of the Year awards.

The event is the highlight of Rossendale Hospice's fundraising calendar and has so far raised more than £100,000. The committee is looking for an exceptional lady to live up to the title.

Now in its sixth year, the event has attracted nominations from all walks of life, and generated much-needed funds to help keep the hospice running. Marie Earnshaw, of Rossendale Hospice, said: "Since the award started it has become more and more successful. We have had some really good nominations in recent years and are hoping the people of Rossendale who go that extra mile will be nominated."

Age is no barrier. Nominations could be for young people who help parents care for younger siblings, or teenagers who have overcome particular adversity to make a success of their life. The criteria is that the nominee lives in Rossendale.

Previous winners include Carolyn Wolstenholme, from Haslingden, who devoted years of her life to help polio sufferers; mum-in-a-million Janet Hill, from Bacup, who has been a mum to 70 children, including 67 she has fostered; 74-year-old Madeline Claypole, of Shawforth, nominated for charity work and devotion to others, despite illness in her own family; and Crawshawbooth's Dorothy Farrington dubbed 'Mrs Clean' for leading a campaign to keep her village clean and tidy.

This year's winner will be announced at a Christmas-themed lunch at 11am on December 2 at Nino's, Rawtenstall.

To nominate someone, people should write with their name, the name and contact details of the nominee, and the reasons they feel they deserve the title. Send nominations to Rossendale Women of the Year, Rossendale Hospice, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall BB4 6NE, by November 14.