TWO Prestwich women have been praised for their services to sport and the community at a top awards ceremony.

Greater Manchester Police worker Lona Williams was nominated for the sport category at the Winning Women Awards 2004 after devoting her adult life to netball.

Meanwhile grandmother-of-six Edwina Rosenberg was acknowledged for her voluntary work in the community with young children.

The ladies were up against stiff competition at the awards ceremony, which was held last Friday (May 14) at the Meridien Palace Hotel in Manchester, and although neither won the top spot, they were thrilled to have been nominated and enjoyed meeting other inspirational women.

Hard-working Lona (38) set up the Dominoes Netball Club in Manchester in 1996 and has led the team to win numerous titles and tournament successes. Last year the mother-of-two was also instrumental in setting up a Dominoes Junior club and in her spare time she voluntarily coaches children from age six to 16. Outside of Dominoes, Lona also coaches taster sessions for ladies who have been out of the game for some time but wish to get involved on a recreational basis.

She said: "I have always played netball and I got to the stage where I thought I would like to set up my own group. My husband Danny encouraged me to do it, so I went ahead."

Lona is currently preparing for the club's annual tournament to be held on August 7 at the Manchester Velodrome.

Commenting on the awards ceremony, in which paralympic swimmer Sarah Bailey won the sports title, Lona said: "It was a brilliant day. It was also nice to have people recognise what you do."

Edwina Rosenberg is a familiar face around town, but most people will know her as Mary Poppins.

Mrs Rosenberg (59) has been dressing up as the character to entertain children on the wards of Booth Hall Children's Hospital and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury for 13 years and working in local schools for more than 40 years teaching children self-esteem.

The winner in the community category was Patsy McKie who set up Mothers Against Violence after her son was killed in Moss Side in 1999.

Mrs Rosenberg said: "How could I compare to that? She was a worthy winner."