A Bradford mum has been named one of Britain's bravest women of the year.

Pat Bleau, of Horton Bank Top, dedicated her life to helping others when her 16-year-old daughter Chantelle died eight years ago after sniffing lighter fuel.

She set up the Chantelle Bleau Memorial Fund which warns secondary pupils in Bradford and Leeds schools of the dangers of sniffing glues, gases and aerosols.

The 50-year-old was one of eight women recognised at a glittering awards ceremony held by best magazine at a top hotel in Surrey, hosted by TV star Lorraine Kelly.

But Pat said although she felt honoured she did not feel brave. "I don't consider myself brave at all," she said.

"I never have. I've just done work I felt I had to do for Chantelle and others' sake."

As part of the Memorial Fund's work, Pat campaigned to get the law changed and helped to make it illegal to sell solvents to anyone under 18.

As well as continuing to support the Memorial Fund, Pat now works as a volunteer in women's prisons and has worked on Bradford's streets helping women fleeing from violence. In the New Year she will be focusing on a new project to help vulnerable young women rebuild their lives.

She is part of the Bradford-based charity, Mercy UK, which has taken over a large Edwardian country house in Oxenhope.

The charity has launched a £100,000 fundraising drive to renovate the mansion which will become a home for women, aged from 16 into their twenties, plagued by eating disorders, self-harm, depression and sexual, physical and mental abuse.

The property, which will house 15 women, was bought by an anonymous private trust for £560,000 and leased - for just £5 a year - to the international charity, Mercy Ministries, whose UK branch is in Bradford city centre.

The programme of support will include riding horses and planting vegetables in the two-acre grounds.

It also includes counselling and courses in literacy, numeracy and life skills.

Pat said: "Everything I have done has stemmed from Chantelle's death. I have been able to move on.

"Obviously I remember her and birthdays and the anniversary of her death are hard but I just journey on as best I can, helped by my faith. I'm looking forward to 2006 and the new challenges it will bring."

Presenter Lorraine Kelly said she felt humbled but uplifted by the stories of courage.

"They're all survivors and show true British grit and determination to overcome what life has thrown at them," she said.

"I don't know where they get their courage from, but it's incredible."