AN ESTATE champion has won a regional award for her work in helping to improve the quality of life for residents.

Jacqui Farrington, chairman of the Higher Folds Tenants' and Residents' Association, was nominated for the North West Year of the Volunteer Award for Commitment by Worsley MP Barbara Keeley and will now go on to the National Award Winner's ceremony in London in January.

Jacqui, who is proud to be an Higher Folder, received her medal at Preston's Guildhall.

She said: "This is for the estate not just for me."

Jacqui, 62, who was born over Hughes' dentists in Chapel Street and was brought up in Warrington Road, Leigh, left the area for 20 years.

She ran pubs in Daubhill, Bolton, and Croston and in 1991 moved to Barnoldswick where she took charge of a men only club, known as The Pigeon Club, describing it "as the best place to work ever".

In 1998 she returned to Leigh and chose to live on Higher Folds.

She said: "It is a nice area surrounded by trees and fields and that is what I like. The environment is good. A lot of people asked me what I was doing chosing to live on the estate, but I like it and am proud to live there.

"When I arrived I was alone and felt the need to take part in community life so I joined the residents' association. I became vice chairman then chairman two years ago.

"We have cleaned up the estate by organising litter picks, we have planted trees and with the two junior schools, St Gabriel's and the County Primary, have planted hundreds of bulbs. We have organised a carnival and fetes.

"Our aim is to get residents of all ages involved in our activities. We seem to get through to the young and older residents, but it's the ones in the middle who we need to attract."

Jacqui's latest campaign is to save the day care centre and luncheon club which meets at St Gabriel's on Mondays. Along with fellow volunteers May Wilcock and Mona Follows they are learning the ropes to keep it open.

She said: "It has been running for over 20 years and we thought it was wrong for it to fold and that the residents' association should take it on. We will know at the start of the new year if we have been successful.

"We also deal with anti social behaviour problems and with Wigan and Leigh Housing, of which I am a board member.

"I would like to thank Barbara for nominating me. I am extremely proud to win this medal for Higher Folds.

A delighted Mrs Keeley said: " I nominated Jacqui in recognition of all the work she does as the association's chair.The award is made by the organisation Community Service Volunteers. 2005 has been designated the Year of the Volunteer and the government is promoting volunteering as a way people can make their own community stronger.

"I am delighted that somebody as hard working and committed as Jacqui has won. She works exceptionally hard to improve the estate for the benefit of all the residents there. She and other volunteers are really improving the quality of life in their community"

"I see volunteering as vital to building stronger communities and to have a volunteer from Higher Folds win the regional award is something for us all to be proud of."