CORONATION Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh is one of the first to take up our call for nominations for East Lancashire's best community group.

The Pride of East Lancashire Community Group Award is designed to reward associations that have been successful in helping others within our distribution area.

Julie, who plays Hayley Cropper in the soap, had no hesitations deciding who to put forward for the accolade. She has nominated Accrington's Maundy Relief which works tirelessly for Hyndburn's homeless and poverty stricken.

The actress, who was brought up in Church, has been patron for the registered charity run by Dorothy McGregor since April last year.

She said: "Single-handedly Dorothy has taken on poverty, despair and homelessness in the Hyndburn area. There's no specific remit for the care Maundy Relief provides - anyone in need can go there for counselling, food, shelter, tea, love and support and is given unconditional help in a non-judgmental and friendly setting.

"Because there is no remit they can't get funding so are always in dire financial straits despite being inundated with referrals from all sorts of agencies.

"Dorothy is the most amazing person I've ever met. Her mobile is the 24-hour helpline, she lives on prayer and black coffee and I can't think of a person, or group, more deserving."

Maundy Relief, in Abbey Street, was set up in May 1999. It is run by a team of volunteers from throughout East Lancashire and provides food, bedding, small grants and other basic needs to people in Hyndburn on a 24-hour seven-days-a-week basis. The charity helps around 600 people every week.

Earlier this month Julie hosted 'Roy and Hayley's Posh Do' at the Dunkenhalgh in Clayton-le-Moors.

The evening featured songs, music hall classics and comedy sketches from her Coronation Street co-stars. It raised more than £8,000 which will pay the rent for the coming year.

Nominations for Pride of East Lancashire awards will be accepted until October 1. Enter your favourite community group by logging on to thisislancashire.co.uk or completing an entry coupon in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.