A former alcoholic who has helped thousands of people through the Bradford Drugs service she pioneered has been shortlisted for the Yorkshire Woman of the Year award.

Yvonne Oliver battled her own alcohol addiction to set up Ripple Drugs Services in Buttershaw almost seven years ago, after her two children became hooked on heroin.

The 51-year-old mum had gained a degree in Communica-tions and Public Media and a Masters in Managing Change and had become a radio producer after undergoing treatment in 1983.

But she was prompted to take a job as a community worker in Buttershaw when her two children became hooked on heroin.

When Mrs Oliver realised the fabric of the entire community had been severely affected by drugs, the determined woman used a start-up grant to single-handedly open Ripple in 1998 to treat the effects of drug misuse on drug users and the wider community.

Ripple now employs 60 workers with a client base of 2,000 and a turnover of £1.4 million.

Mrs Oliver's struggle against her own addiction, triumph and inspiration to others has won her a place in the final three of the Yorkshire Woman of the Year Award, which is being hosted by the Variety Club of Great Britain and the BBC in the region.

"I was flabbergasted when I found out I had been nominated," said Mrs Oliver, of Laisterdyke.

"I think it's good for Bradford because there have been a lot of negative things about Bradford lately.

"I am a recovering addict myself and I thought it would never happen to my children.

" I have come through it myself and I am now chief executive of a good organisation.

"I work with people to help them to aspire to their dreams."

The award is part of the second Heart of Yorkshire Awards which recognise the achievements of people in Yorkshire and includes gongs for Yorkshire Man of the Year, Young Person of the Year and Community Service Award.

Variety Club of Great Britain Yorkshire branch events organiser David Haycoxsaid: "We are looking for people who are setting an example for other people, who are role models in some form or another and do something above and beyond the call of what other people normally expect.

"We are looking for people who have done exceptional things over a period of time."

Last year Mrs Oliver was invited to talk to Prime Minister Tony Blair about ways of reducing drug use across the country.

"People think they cannot do this but there is nothing special about me," said Mrs Oliver.

"I have a great deal of courage and determination and with that, you can do anything."

"Ripple is about enabling and empowering people. If I can be an example of that, then that's great. I was not always like this. I got help by ringing the Samaritans. Someone reached out and helped me and I am responsible for anyone who wants to get well."

People will be invited to vote for the winner and the awards will be presented on Friday, July 30.

To contact the Ripple Drugs Services call (01274) 693900.