A SPECIAL prize created in memory of fire victim Caneze Riaz was awarded to a woman who was like her "older sister."

And Caneze's brother, Barry Khanan went on stage last night to give a tearful thanks to the organisers of the "wonderful and special" tribute.

Caneze died along with her four young daughters Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 12, Alicia, 10 and Hannah, three, at a house fire at their home in Tremellen Street, Accrington, in November.

Husband Mohammed, 49, who police believe started the fire, died later in hospital from his injuries.

Her eldest son Adam, 17, who was in hospital at the time, died last month after a battle with leukaemia.

The award, the first of its kind, was created by The Aawaz women's group to honour Caneze's "outstan-ding" contribution to the area and to reward outstanding voluntary work in the community.

It was presented in her memory, at the event in Accrington Town Hall, to a fellow voluntary worker, Nazira Jahanzeb, 49, of Persia Street, Accrington.

She said: "I am so shocked. It makes the award so special knowing that people chose me to receive something in memory of Caneze as well as a thank- you for the work I do.

"I will continue our projects with her in my mind."

Caneze, 39, was a founding member of Aawaz and also worked for the Hyndburn Cultural Association in integration work and with women's issues.

Photographs of her were hung all around the room and a slide show of her and her family was shown while tributes from her friends and colleagues were read out.

Kauser Mahmood, a teacher at Moorhead High School said: "She was no ordinary woman. Her death left a wound in Accrington that will never fully heal.

"We must make sure we continue her quest to unite communities. I'm sure her beautiful children would have continued her work had they had the chance."

Guests of honour were Caneze's brother Barry Khanan and mother June Khanan.

"Barry said: "The event has been very special. We cannot express how much it has meant to us. We miss my sister so much and it has helped us come to terms with what has happened.

"We want her memory to continue and what a wonderful way to remember her. They say time is a great healer but there is not enough time in my life to heal the pain I feel."

More than 100 people were nominated for the prize which organisers hope to make an annual event.