I HAVE just read that certain singer, Ms Holly Valance, at the ripe old age of 19 years has been voted 'Woman of the Year'.

I hold up both hands when I say that I have no idea who Holly Valance is, but it is obvious to her followers that she can be compared with certain other teenagers of old who have made their mark in life at such a tender age.

For example: Grace Darling who in 1838, at the age of 14 rowed a boat nearly half the size of a modern day life boat across a mile of rough seas to save the survivors of a ship wreck.

If Ms Valance has been quietly tucked away in the back streets of Calcutta helping homeless urchins or in Africa raising people's awareness about the plight of orphaned children whose parents have died through contracting AIDS then I apologise profusely.

Of course, she may have been given the award of 'Woman of the Year' for something far more important such as singing in the correct key when called upon.

Mr FT Morritt, Homestead, Bamber Bridge.