A dedicated volunteer has made it to the final four in the north west for a coveted award recognising their achievements.

Sital Raja-Arjan MBE, 50, who grew up in Little Lever after moving with her family from Kenya aged 2, has been nominated for the Pride of Britain awards for her work with Boot out Breast Cancer and Homeless Aid UK, two Bolton based charities.

She has been volunteering with Boot Out Breast Cancer, which has raised over £1.1m to support women suffering with breast cancer and to help buy specialist equipment for hospitals, for over eight years and Homeless Aid UK for three years ­— distributing food from her family restaurant House of Raja's in Fletcher Street.

She said she hoped her nomination has already been raising awareness of the work of the charities she volunteers for.

She said: "It was really nice to learn that I had been nominated, especially by people that I've worked with at charities as they know the work I've done.

"My family came to Bolton when I was two and all my family since have been brought up here and started businesses here.

"The charity work that me and my family before me have done is all part of giving back to the town that has always been there for us too."

Sital said that she should find out later this week if she has got through to the national stage of the competition.

She added: "It's an honour to have made it to the last four in the north west out of thousands of nominees, and hopefully it will spread awareness of the work of the charities I work with.

"It's been very hard for charities recently as we've had to cancel many events for raising money but our teams have still been out there helping people around the clock.

"Many volunteers are working full time jobs then doing another eight hours helping out the homeless, it's a great community team spirit.

"Bolton has really pulled together in this difficult time. Many charities like Homeless Aid could have just shut to not put staff at risk but people are still going out every day.

"Even people who are shielding are helping by posting on social media, every little thing helps, we never give up.

"Being nominated for awards has brought in donations for the charities and that is the most important thing."