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

The event is the highlight of Rossendale Hospice's fun d-raising 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 fifth year, the event has attracted nominations from all walks of life and helped to generate much-needed funds to help keep the hospice running.

Marie Earnshaw, of Rossendale Hospice, said: "We hope even more will come and support the event.

"Since the Rossendale Women of the Year award started four years ago it has become more and more successful."

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 of the event include mum-in-a-million Janet Hill from Bacup.

Janet has been a mum to 70 children, including 67 she has fostered. She also brought up two of her own, as well as adopted daughter Jenny, who leads a full life despite having had to overcome having her right leg amputated as a baby.

Last year's winner was 74-year-old Madeline Claypole, of Shawforth, nominated for charity work and devotion to others, despite illness in her own family.

The winner will be announced at a lunch at Horncliffe Mansion on June 11. Proceeds will go to Rossendale Hospice.

To nominate someone people should write with their name, the name and contact details for the nominee and the reasons they feel they deserve the title.

Nominations should go to Rossendale Woman of the Year, Rossendale Hospice, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall BB4 6NE, by Friday, May 14, 2004.