THREE phenomenal women who have made outstanding contributions to the community have been honoured at the St Richard's Hospice Worces-tershire Women of the Year awards.

The women, who have excelled as volunteers, in business or through their profession, were rewarded at a yesterday's lavish ceremony at Malvern's Madresfield Court.

Committee member Hilary Philpott said: "The whole day was such a success and raised a lot of money for St Richard's Hospice, as well as celebrating the achievements of these Worcestershire women."

Jane Daniels, chairman of Pershore's Number 8 Community Arts Centre, was delighted to win the Voluntary Award.

"I'm blown away. It's a wonderful surprise," she said.

"I feel that I've represented a brilliant team and all of the volunteers deserve this award as much as I do."

Jane, has lived in Pershore for more than 25 years and helped to establish the centre, which opened in December after a 10-year fund-raising campaign.

She helped to run a charity shop, where Number 8 now stands, which raised £600,000 to build the High Street centre, where she dedicates six days a week of her time.

Christine Morgan won the Achievement Award for the work she has done in the field of mental health.

While working at the Studdert Kennedy Centre in Worcester, she negotiated with housing providers to secure supported living accommodation for people with mental health problems.

"I feel honoured and humbled to have received this award," she said.

"It was a complete surprise and I'm just pleased that mental health has had some recognition," she added

The 65-year-old, of Birchfield Close near Barbourne, ran a social club for people with such problems and currently works part-time at a rehabilitation hostel.

Esther Ruggiero, winner of the Business Award, runs Trains 4 Security, delivering courses and workshops to raise the standards of performance within the private security industry.

The mother-of-three is also a full-time student at University College Worcester.

"Celebrating the achievements of women in the workplace is something I feel very strongly about," she said.

The Droitwich company, which Esther runs with her husband, employs 23 staff and has a projected turnover of £500,000 for 2005.