AN awards ceremony for Worcestershire's Women of the Year was held at Malvern Theatres.

Organised to raise funds for St Richard's Hospice and recognise the important contribution women make to society, the event raised more than £30,000 from sponsorship, ticket sales and a raffle.

Fundraising manager Marilyn Peachey said last week's event, organised by Carol Bawden and a team of volunteers, was a huge success.

"It's a phenomenal fundraiser for the hospice," she said.

At the lunch, which was attended by around 330 people, awards were made in three different categories to women across the county.

Kay Coombes, director of the Malvern-based Association for the Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills (ARCOS), was nominated in the achievement award section but missed out to Jennie Bashforth, director of social services at Worcestershire County Council.

The Vodafone business award was given to Vivienne Hudson, of Hotelshop UK, a Worcester-based company that specialises in last minute short breaks in the UK and Ireland.

Patricia Gunnell, from Worcester, was winner of the voluntary award. She has done continuous voluntary work in the county since 1979 and currently works with the Witness Service supporting vulnerable witnesses at Worcestershire Magistrates Court and also serves on the Young Offenders Panel.