THE exceptional nominees for the Cumbria Woman of the Year continue to amaze and show off the very best the county has to offer.

That's the view of the woman behind the annual competition, Tess Hart, who said the event is as important now as when it was first held in 1990.

Mrs Hart, who is the chairwoman of the competition, told The Cumberland News : "After 26 years it's amazing that we are still receiving ever-stronger nominations from the public. The work that is going on around the county is exceptional.

"It's just so diverse the variety of nominations we receive, about so many different subjects and issues people are facing."

This year's awards ceremony was held on Wednesday in Bowness-on-Windermere, with the top prize going to west Cumbrian Rachel Holliday, who pioneered an innovative project to open a homeless hostel in Copeland.

Rachel was described at the awards as "a human dynamo with a heart the size of a house". Her Time for Change project focuses firstly on ex-military personnel who need help reintegrating into the society.

And it's the work of people like Rachel - and other dedicated women - that Tess believes is so important to Cumbria.

"The strength of women in the county is incredible, it's fantastic and they are making an important difference to their local communities," added Mrs Hart.

"The role of women is what binds together this huge rural county. Of course there are a lot of wonderful men too, but I think there's many heroines that are doing work that's vital for us."

And it's in times of austerity and spending cuts that the role of caring women is really highlighted, Mrs Hart explained: "Whenever there's a problem, women will always step up. I still think this competition is valuable and important. 

"We still have to acknowledge the important role of women."

Mrs Hart took over the running of the competition in 2010 and said the calibre of entrants this year was second to none.

Attentions have already turned to next year's competition with nominations being invited. Anyone can be entered into the competition with Mrs Hart saying the event is open to "ordinary people doing extraordinary things".