AFTER months of deliberation, the Worcestershire Women Of The Year judges have chosen 10 finalists from a record numer of nominations.

The 10 women will attend a glittering event next Thursday to decide the winners in the business, achievement, voluntary and employee categories.

The event, which will be in aid of St Richard's Hospice, Worcester, will be held at King's School, Worcester. The guest speaker will be Ruth Badger, runner-up in BBC show The Apprentice last year.

Sonia Woolven, chairwoman of the event committee, said: "We were delighted with the number of entries and the qualities of the candidates."

THE FINALISTS

Business

Jill Angell, of Ombersley, started her company Fish4Dogs two years ago.

Julia Felton, of Droitwich, co-founded everyclick.com, a a search engine that gives half its revenues to charity.

Lorraine Hickman, of Bewdley, manages hauliers Hickmans of Kidderminster.

Achievement

Julie Bradford, of Malvern, is an engineer at QinetiQ, Jean Emberlin founded the National Pollen Unit at the University of Worcester.

Employee

Sue Bown, of Upton-upon-Severn, account director of Severn Communications. Margaret Gray, of Broughton Hackett, has worked for Worcestershire County Council for 17 years.

Diane Hall-Smith, of Bewdley, has been with Hewett Recruitment for 25 years.

Voluntary

Beatrice Furlong, of Worcester, has been involved with the Friends of King George V Playing Fields in Worcester for 60 years.

Ann Jones, of Wick, near Pershore, has been involved with Noah's Ark Trust since its inception 10 years ago.

Melanie Parker helped form Tenbury Town Band in 1983.