THE finalists of this year’s Worcestershire Women of the Year Awards have been announced.

The prestigious awards take place every two years and celebrate the women of Worcestershire who make a big contribution to the county.

Entries have been flooding in for the achievement, voluntary and business categories, the winners of which will be announced at a ceremony tomorrow at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium.

This year’s guest speaker at the event, which raises vital funds for St Richard’s Hospice, will be Christine Hamilton, television personality and author and wife of former MP Neil Hamilton.

Kathy Leather, commercial director of Worcester Warriors and last year’s winner of the Business Award, is chairman of the Worcestershire Women of the Year Committee 2011.

She said: “We were thrilled with the quality of the nominations for all the categories. There are plenty of fantastic women in Worcestershire doing amazing things for their businesses and communities. It was quite a task to narrow down the entries but we know we have shortlisted some fantastic candidates. We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration at our awards lunch.”

VOLUNTARY AWARD FINALISTS Patricia Horriben, of Bransford, near Worcester, a volunteer for various charities since she retired 18 years ago.

Susie Coleman, a teacher, who is a volunteer and patron for the Worcester Breast Unit after receiving the all clear from breast cancer.

Valerie Corfield, of Trimpley, near Bewdley, who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for various charities.

BUSINESS AWARD FINALISTS Elizabeth Needham, from Worcester, a partner with Kendall Wadley LLP in Malvern who voluntarily acts as treasurer for two local charities – Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre and Noah’s Ark Trust. Nicola Matthews, from Worcester, set up the Spray Tan Cubicle Company in December 2004, now associated with Strictly Come Dancing and the Brit Awards.

Shirley Thornhill Jester, who set up Umberto Giannini Worcester more than 10 years ago, has a mentoring system in her salon.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FINALISTS Ruth Jones set up the 24- hour Worcestershire domestic violence helpline and was training manager at the Asha Women’s Centre. She is a part-time senior lecturer specialising in violence against women at the University of Worcester.

Kathryn Brunt, headteacher at St Clement’s Primary School in St John’s, Worcester, where staff and parent morale and standards have risen tremendously. She has moved two pupil referral units out of Ofsted categories of special measures.

Karen Tomalin, owner of the 2nd Skin Bra Chain, and patron of the Worcestershire Breast Unit campaign, aiming to raise £200,000 for the proposed new dedicated Breast Unit for Worcester.