WIRRAL nursery owner Lisa Collins was today named the Daily Post’s Merseyside Woman of the Year 2011.

Lisa beat competition from 15 other worthy contenders and polled hundreds of readers’ votes to win the title.

The 44-year-old mum-of-two, who runs the Daisy&Jake Nurseries in Wirral, was presented with her award this afternoon at a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel on Liverpool’s waterfront.

This is the ninth year of the Merseyside Women of the Year awards and more than a dozen women were honoured for their work and achievements in the fields of entertainment, business, charity and the community.

Lisa polled 1166 votes from readers to win the ultimate accolade.

Voted second place by readers was specialist foster carer Beth-Marie Rosewell from Greasby, who was also named winner in the Caring category.

In third place was Ruby Porter who was also a joint winner in the Humanitarian section. This tops a remarkable year for the 66-year- old former teacher from Allerton who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours.

She shared the top spot for humanitarian achievements with Sue Wakeling from Wirral, who was recognised for her work with orphanages in China.

There were tears and laughter as actress and comedienne Pauline Daniels hosted the event attended by more than 400 people.

Angela Cholet, chief executive of Knowsley Domestic Violence, was named Inspirational Woman of the Year for her work with the women and children’s refuge she set up.

Businesswoman Sharon Carroll who founded the Chill-Out spa in the grounds of Knowsley Hall took the title Entrepreneur of the Year.

Benidorm TV star Crissy Rock took the award for Arts and Culture  and senior education nurse and manager at Liverpool Women’s Hospital Sue Snowdon was the winner in the Learning category.