SHARON Richards (55) was so thrilled at her nomination for Cheshire Woman of the Year that she ‘went hysterical’ - yet she almost missed out.

The invitation to the awards lunch at Eaton Hall, Chester went to the wrong house.

Sharon, aged 55 of Urban Road, Sale, eventually got the news by telephone.

She said: “I was feeling fed up and it cheered me up no end,”

“I was like a kid at Christmas. I was beside myself that someone had taken the time to write in and nominate me.”

The anonymous person had nominated her for two of the three categories, service to the community and personal courage.

The first category was for establishing story telling club, Success Stories, and the second for coping with neurological and heart problems.

Out of 56 nominees, only 14 were in more than one category.

The ball on April 30 was an exclusive luncheon attended by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Pam Booher, and addressed by BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin.

Sharon and her guest, Yasuko Bailey, enjoyed champagne followed by melon cocktail, poached salmon and sticky toffee pudding.

The winner, Christine Pugh of Runcorn, has fostered 400 behaviourally challenged children.