A Bradford councillor who has shown outstanding determination in her battle with Motor Neurone Disease has picked up two awards.

Councillor Valerie Binney (Con, Thornton and Allerton) received the Jane Tomlinson Award for Courage at the annual Yorkshire Women of Achieve-ment awards. She then went on to pick up the winner-of-winners prize at the end.

Coun Binney, who now uses a wheelchair and speaks with the aid of an iPad, said she was “overwhelmed” by the honour.

She said: “I was stunned, it was amazing. I do not feel courageous, I have just adapted to my new way of life.”

She said for example she had now taken an organisational role on Thornton in Bloom, and now let others do all the planting and weeding.

Coun Binney is stepping down at the coming elections after many years of public service. She was nominated by colleague Councillor Jackie Whiteley, a past winner of a Women of Achievement award.