ASIAN women from across East Lancashire have been honoured for their voluntary and community work at an awards ceremony.

Almost 200 guests attended Aawaz's annual celebratory event, held in the ballroom at Accrington Town Hall, on Thursday lunchtime.

Bosses organised the ceremony as a reminder of the important role women play in the family, neighbourhood and society.

Several women were honoured, including two South Asian women who joined the project unemployed and struggling with the English language.

Manager Zulekha Dala said: "They worked extremely hard to make themselves employable and to get a job.

"They had no education and could speak English, but now they work at Express Gifts in Accrington.

"It's really good motivation for other women who are having a tough time in their lives."

One surprise at the event was the recognition of a male volunteer, Peter Goodall, who works with the Hyndburn Disability Forum and the Blind Society.

Zulekha said: "Our members wanted to recognise and acknowledge Peter's work so a special award was given.

"It's exceptional that the women wanted to acknowledge the work of a male colleague."

Hyndburn mayor, Cllr Munsif Dad, was among the guests at the event and said he was glad to commend the important work the organisation was doing to help women get into work and feel better about themselves.

He said: "The Aawaz group is doing an excellent job in trying to give women of all ages and ethnicities the support that they need.

"It is important that everybody supports them in achieving their aims and objectives to give self confidence to women from the Asian subcontinent and to try to get them to integrate in society.

"It was an excellent afternoon with a fully packed town hall in Accrington.

"I was absolutely delighted to attend with my colleagues from other areas."

The mayor of Preston, Nick Pomfret, mayor of Pendle, Cllr Graham Roach, the chair of Lancashire County Council, Cllr Kevin Ellard, also attended.

The Accrington-based support group, which says it is the 'voice of Asian women', was formed in 1997.