THEY ARE all winners! These are the women who make a difference to Southampton life - and they have been recognised for their enthusiasm and hard work.

To mark International Women's Day the eight winners were invited to the city's civic offices to be presented with their Women of Achievement medals.

Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Dennis Harryman, pictured above centre, congratulated the women on their hard work and said they deserved to be honoured.

"There are many women in the city who achieve great things - and it is good to mark that today," he said.

Champion body builder Marina Cornwall, whose own story of perseverance and dedication has inspired many other women to get into shape, was on hand to congratulate winners.

Daily Echo woman and lifestyle editor Kate Thompson welcomed the return of the awards - and added her voice to the call for it to become an annual event.

"It never ceases to amaze me how lucky we are to have these vibrant women in our communities making a difference to people's lives every single day.

"I hope this will become an annual event because there are plenty more winners out there," she said.

ROLL OF HONOUR:

Sara Al-Rashed - promoting leisure winner. The 21-year-old media student set up Liberty Pride Cheerleaders two years ago on a Southampton estate.

Gillian Finch - promoting independent living. She formed CISters - a group that has helped 700 Childhood Incest Survivors.

Ina Kitchen - promoting lifelong learning. Octagenarian Ina has been recognised for her work as a school governor at Sholing Junior School.

Isobel Howard - tackling deprivation and inequalities. Having raised funds for her son after he was left brain damaged following a near-fatal road accident, Isobel has set up the Wayne Howard Trust to help others in the same position.

Susan Lawson - promoting independent living. From the very start Susan has been a keen supporter of the Ribbons Centre in Southampton where anyone affected by the HIV and AIDS virus can gain support and information.

Natalia Savelyeva - tackling deprivation and inequalities. When Southampton University scientist Natalia learned that her best friend's baby in Uzbekistan needed a life saving operation, she raised £19,000.

Chris Morris - improving community safety. Concerned with what was happening to Golden Grove, single mum Chris decided to take action and she has helped to clean up her neighbourhood.

Katie Cheeseman - promoting independent living. An officer with Southampton City Council, Katie has worked tirelessly to raise awareness around hearing loss.