A SPECIAL prize has been created in memory of Caneze Riaz to honour her "outstanding" contribution to the local community.

The first annual Caneze Riaz Award will be presented at a celebration of her life to be held in Accrington on Friday.

The Aawaz Women's Group, which is made up of members from Nelson, Burnley, Blackburn and Darwen, as well as Accrington, has organised the event and decided to dedicate the prize to mark her work as a community volunteer.

The group is made up of Asian women who are carers and share their experiences in a bit to improve people's quality of life.

Caneze, 39, was a founding member of Aawaz and also worked for the Hyndburn Cultural Association in integration work and also with women's issues.

She died along with her husband Mohammed, 49, and four daughters Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 12, Alicia, 10 and Hannah, three, at a house fire at their home in Tremellen Street, Accrington, in November.

Her eldest son Adam, 17, who was in hospital at the time of the blaze, died last month after a battle with leukaemia.

Zulekha Dala from Aawaz said: "The award will be presented to a woman who has done the most in the community and will be presented each year in memory of Caneze and the contribution she made to this area, particularly her work with women.

An event at Accrington Town Hall on Friday has been organised by Aawaz to "share memories of Caneze".

Guests of honour will be Caneze's brother Barry Khanan and mother June Khanan and members of community groups from across East Lancashire will also attend.

Celebrating Diversity in Hyndburn takes place at Accrington Town Hall on Friday at 6pm.