LESLEY Tatlow scooped the top prize of the event, being named the overall Woman of the Year, as well as being awarded first place in the Women in the Community category.

These two accolades came for her dedication to helping youngsters on the Welland estate in Peterborough.

To provide young people with a place to spend time and have lunch, she arranged the Blue Mobile to open on Saturdays, and also managed to get furniture and an extra pool table installed there.

That venture was for over 13s, but she also helps with younger children, who attend activities at the nearby Charteris Centre. Lesley is also secretary of the Welland Residents Association and is always organising events, such as the Welland Fun Day.

She also finds time for her own family, in spite of all her other commitments.

Lesley remains modest and pragmatic about the work she does.

"I just recognised a need on the estate, I've four teenagers of my own. The young people had nothing to do. We moan about what they do do, the kids, but we don't give them anything else to do."

Meet all the 2008 winners | Women of Achievement home - www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/woa
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Runner-up: Peggy Stokes

PEGGY (71) of Arundle Road, Walton, Peterborough, is a true community stalwart. She has been a member of her local neighbourhood watch scheme for 25 years, is chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch Association and the Neighbourhood Police Panel, and serves on the Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Watch executive group.


Runner-up: Jennie George

Jennie George always goes that one step further for people. She is the refugee outreach worker based at Axiom Housing Association in Peterborough. She always ensures the refugees she deals with, who often come to her with very few possessions, have the the essentials they need to live.