A NEW campaign to celebrate the achievements of women has been launched.

Believe in Her – a campaign designed by Wigan Council to tackle sexism and empower women – was officially launched on Monday – just before International Women’s Day on Sunday.

So far, the campaign has received backing from dozens of celebrities, including Leigh Centurions and Paralympian Heather Frerikson.

The council is hoping to get more men and women on board by encouraging people to use the hashtag #BelieveInHer.

Some of the borough’s most inspirational women came together at Monday’s launch to celebrate their achievements while encouraging others to believe in themselves.

Former Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn, who is from Leigh, pledged her support to the campaign to inspire other women.

She said: “I’m really pleased to be able to lend my support to such an important campaign.

“I understand the pressure women face on a daily basis. We’re constantly told how we should look, what we should eat, what we should wear and who we should aspire to.

“I think we all have a responsibility to ensure that girls have realistic and inspirational role models to look up to.”

The Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Phyll Cullen, whose fight against breast cancer has been well documented over the last few months, officially launched the campaign.

She said: “These days most women hold down a full time job, while raising a family. I don’t think they’re given enough credit for how hard they work - they really are inspirational.

“This campaign will celebrate these women, not just celebrities, but those ‘ordinary’ women who demonstrate their resilience, strength and independence on a daily basis.”

To pledge your support to the campaign, visit: wigan.gov.uk/believeinher.

To support the Twitter campaign take a picture of yourself holding an A4 piece of paper with the reason you support the campaign. Post it to @wigancouncil and use the hashtag #BelieveInHer.