The woman who heads Shrewsbury’s Friendly Neighbours scheme giving a lifeline to the older and socially isolated members of the community has been named the Shropshire Star’s Woman of the Year.

A stunned Julie Thomas picked up her award at a celebration yesterday and said she was accepting it on behalf of the 28 volunteers who help run the project.

See our Shropshire Star Woman of the Year photo gallery here

She was presented with an engraved rose bowl and jewellery by Michelle Mone, founder of the multi-million pound lingerie business MJM and guest speaker at the Woman of the Year 2008 awards.

Britain’s undisputed queen of lingerie and someone who has battled a lifetime of knocks, Michelle paid tribute to Julie and the other seven finalists as very special ladies.

“Their achievements are inspirational and their stories ones of courage and determination,” she said.

Julie has been involved with the welfare of the elderly for more than 20 years, setting up a Home from Hospital scheme in Leominster and a Help at Home scheme in Shrewsbury.

But it was her work spearheading the North Shrewsbury Friendly Neighbours by Voluntary Action that led to Julie being awarded the Star Woman title.

She admitted to being completely taken aback with the award.

“I am shocked and stunned,” she said. “I am not accepting the award for myself but for the 28 volunteers that make up our team.

“And if the award helps to raise the profile of Friendly Neighbours and help raise the money we need to continue then I will be delighted.”