MOTHER-OF-SIX Sylvia Taylor is still coming to terms with her new title of Bury Woman of the Year 2004.

The modest mum, from Ramsbottom, said: "I don't know why I was even nominated, and I never thought I would be chosen. There are many other people who do far more than I do and I think are more deserving of the title."

But she added: "It is an honour to have received the award, even though it is still yet to sink in."

This year's winner was nominated for the award by Lily Reid, the boroughs first ever woman of the year.

For the past two and half years, Sylvia (53) has been a driver for the Womens Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), delivering meals on wheels for the Ramsbottom, Holcombe Brook and Summerseat areas.

With her rescue dog Banner, she also visits people in a residential home in Haslingden as part of a pet therapy project.

Sylvia juggles this with caring for her 81-year-old mum Elizabeth Barker, as well as being a mum to Robert (22) and Cheryl (20) and wife to John who all live at the family home in Oxhey Close. Her other children Michael (30), Steven (29), Daniel (27) and Angela (26) have all moved on.

But Mrs Taylor insists: "What I do is nothing special. I enjoy it. I heard through Bury Carers, where I met Lily, that the WRVS needed a driver, so I volunteered."

She added: "I think the meals on wheels service is very important, not only in delivering food, but also in making sure that the residents are well. They also look forward to the visit and are often waiting at the door.

"Together with Banner I visit elderly people, which I also enjoy. Pet therapy does make a difference. I have been told that Banner has made someone smile for the first time in a long time."