A WOMAN from Edenfield has been named as PE teacher of the year in a national competition.

Helen Finbow, who has worked at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom for 22 years, received the accolade in the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year awards.

She received her award during a ceremony at Lord's cricket ground in London last week.

The judges were impressed by her dedication, commending her for working an average extra 15 hours each week to coach girls' hockey and trampolining teams outside the school timetable.

Mrs Finbow, who lives in Edenfield, said: "I'm over the moon. It came completely out of the blue. "We hear people talking all the time now about the importance of healthy lifestyles and it's nice as a teacher to be able to contribute to that. "My aim has always been to get as many pupils as possible involved in some sort of physical activity. We try to offer as many different sports as we can to appeal to different pupils." Her dedication to coaching has paid off in competitions. Three girls' trampolining teams from Woodhey made it through to the North West finals this year. Mrs Finbow, 56, said: "My reward is seeing the kids' faces when they achieve something, and seeing their enthusiasm in training." She was nominated for PE teacher of the year by Howard Turner, head of PE at Woodhey.

He said: "Helen is the most dedicated teacher I've known. Her enthusiasm for the jobs is incredible. The number of girls that go on to study sport at A level shows how much she motivates them with her passion."

Mrs Finbow was also credited with helping Woodhey win its bid for £750,000 funding for a new astroturf pitch and changing rooms,that have dramatically improved facilities at the school.