A BUSINESSWOMAN from Cullingworth has scooped a coveted accolade.

Sandra Corcoran, who runs Pennine Cycles with husband Paul, has been honoured in the inaugural English Women Awards-North.

Women from the fields of arts, business, science, education and sport were recognised across more than 30 categories in a glittering ceremony at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

Mrs Corcoran won the award for Independent Retail Business of the Year.

She and her husband bought Pennine Cycles in 2000 and have run the independent cycle business ever since.

It has become hugely popular with cyclists throughout the Bradford district and from further afield.

Mrs Corcoran said she was delighted with the award.

"I think we were a really good fit for it," she added.

"We're an independent business and we've been running it for 18 years. We have the history.

"We didn't know who we were up against until the evening of the awards.

"At events like this everyone is a winner. It is great just being shortlisted, but it was great to win.

"It is a brilliant recognition, and wonderful to think that the judges have seen this in us when they made their decision.

"We provide people with advice and expertise as well as selling bikes, and I think this award recognised the extra we give customers."

The awards scheme, based on a similar hugely-successful initiative held for the first in Scotland last year, was organised by Creative Oceanic.

The events and marketing agency is behind a number of ventures, including national wedding and hair and beauty awards.

Its latest accolades celebrated the achievements of women ranging from entrepreneurs and charity founders to civil servants.

Irfan Younis, chief executive officer of Creative Oceanic, said: "We would like to congratulate all our nominees and winners in the inaugural English Women's Awards-North, who have achieved so much in their lives.

"The ceremony provided the opportunity for women to showcase their hard work and we are looking forward to growing the awards in the future."

The awards evening also helped raise funds for charity Smart Works, which supports women in need to realise their potential and achieve success in the workplace.

Other winners from the Bradford district included Professor Diana Anderson, who received the award for services to science and technology.

She works at the University of Bradford, in biomedical sciences.

She has published over 400 papers and her most recent work has included a blood test to help detect types of cancer.