And the winner is...who will scoop the title of Northampton's most Inspirational Woman?

Five women who have been shortlisted for the award were nominated for the difference they each make in their community by providing support, developing initiatives or being a great role model to others.

The finalists for the 2017 Inspirational Woman Award are:

* Julie Mead is a police inspector, a trained negotiator and in addition she has been instrumental in developing the newly founded Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets scheme, which sees young people work with all three emergency services, supporting core business whilst giving them social, emotional and academic development.

* Rosemary Reid has been a Guider at the 28th Northampton Guide group since 1969, giving continuous service since that time. She has been instrumental in building an integrated group which works with girls from 5 to 18 years old.

* Pat Haslam is committed to improving health and pastoral care to of veterans in the county. She is an ambassador in promoting the Northamptonshire Armed Forces Community Covenant (AFCC) scheme with GPs, ensuring that veterans are directed to the right care or voluntary service.

* Clair Chapman is a great supporter of the Hope Centre in Northampton and to the homeless community in the town. Every Sunday you will find her on Abington Street, serving hot food to and chatting to homeless people. She volunteered on Christmas Day and has recently joined the volunteer team for the new night shelter.

* Pindy Chahal is the backbone of the Sikh Community Centre & Youth Club (SCCYC) in Northampton. She does all the groundwork, built a great team of volunteers and has secured funding for the centre’s projects. In addition, she helped the SCCYC receive awards which recognise the delivery of services over a significant period of time.

Councillor Anna King, the Borough Council’s cabinet member for community safety and engagement, said: “We received some really fantastic nominations this year, which made the judging process of shortlisting just five finalists from 47 nominations really difficult.

“I would like to thank John Griff, Pauline Woodhouse, Natalie Faulkner, Shena Cooper and Neelam Aggarwal Singh from the judging panel, who joined me in selecting the five award finalists.

"We look forward to recognising their hard work and achievements, along with all of the women who were nominated for the award, at the upcoming International Women’s Day event.”

The winner of the 2017 Inspirational Woman Award will be announced on Saturday March 4 by Northampton Borough Council’s Women’s Forum and BBC Radio Northampton. The announcement will take place between 12.30pm and 1pm at the Guildhall, during an event celebrating International Women’s Day.

More information about the event is available at www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200241/events/2110/international-womens-day-2017/2