ROSSENDALE'S Woman of the Year 74-year-old Madeline Claypole couldn't believe it when she found out she had won the prestigious award and said: "I thought it was a joke."

Proud Madeline was presented with the accolade at the glittering ceremony yesterday afternoon held at St Mary's Chambers, Rawtenstall.

Women from all walks of life, from businesswomen to unpaid volunteers were eligible for nomination.

Madeline of Old Lane, Shawforth, beat off two other finalists -- Mary Davison, who is a voluntary leader at Haslingden Youth Club and at Rossendale Hospital. Mary also is a member of the War Graves Society, helping people locating the graves of loved ones lost during the war.

Nora Seville was nominated for caring for her husband Syd who has MS. She also finds time in her busy shedule to keep the railway's gardens in tip top shape.

Judges said Madeline was chosen for her devotion to helping others despite illnesses in her immediate family.

Madeline, who collects and sells items on stalls for cancer charities has a special gift for singing and reciting dialect poems which she uses to entertain others and donates all fees to charity.

The Age Concern volunteer said: "I couldn't believe it when I was told I was going to be nominated. I thought it was a joke.

"It has been a lovely day so far, I have met a lot of really nice people and had the chance to have my picture taken with the mayor which has been lovely."

Madeline, who has been helping to care for her husband Eric for the past two years after discovering he had stomach cancer, said: "I don't feel like I have done anything out of the ordinary, anybody would have done the same but it is nice to get rewarded for it.

"Eric is getting better but it has been a hard two years. Christies have been brilliant, we couldn't have done it without them."

The award ceremony is the highlight of Rossendale Hospice's fundraising year.

Representatives from local businesses, charities and voluntary groups were on hand to help Madeline celebrate her achievements.

Helen Killelea, Chairman of the Special Events Committee, Joan Winfield, of Musbury Fabrics, Tina Pickles, of Sutcliffe Shoes, Louise Pillitten, of Nino's, Joanne Clark, of Lancashire Home and Gardens, the event's sponsors, Coun June Foreshaw, and Mayor Eillen Kershaw were all at the glittering event.

Liz Nelson, Fundraising co-ordinator at Rossendale Hospice said: "All the nominations were special in their own way but Madeline was chosen because despite personal health problems and illness in her immediate family, she spends a great deal of time assisting others for which she deserves this award."

Liz added: "Around 140 attended the event, last year we raised about £7,000 which helped to cover a year's transport costs. We are hoping we can do better this year."

An auction with a signed picture of Harry Potter, a signed Blackburn Rovers shirt, a Harrords hamper and two first class train tickets from Janet Anderson was expected to help bump up the final total.