THE 11 finalists for the Oxfordshire Woman of the Year 2002 title have been revealed.

The co-ordinator of the competition, Carol-Ann Saul, said: "This is a very strong field and a tough job for our panel of judges.

"All 11 women have achieved something extraordinary in their career and have made a difference to those around them.

"They have also been able to demonstrate a balance between their working life, community involvement and family or home life."

The finalists are:

Susanne Austin, founder and executive director of the Cotswold Food Group, from Headington.

Jo Leatherbarrow from Bampton, the managing director of the Witney-based Kindergarten (UK) Ltd.

Dr Caroline Bucklow, from Wallingford, who is a director of the Institute of Learning and Teaching in higher education.

Amanda Webb-Johnson, project leader with Oxford Refugee Support.

Estelle Morris, of Samui Design and Management, in Longworth.

Dr Maria Yapp, from Chesterton, managing director of Xancam Consulting in Thame.

Pearline Blackstock, managing director of the Unity Project in Oxford.

Eneni Nicholas, managing director of AC Nielsen in Oxford.

Jacqueline Cross, managing director of Customised Computer Training at Milton Park.

Hilary Farmer, who runs her own dyslexia consultancy company in Abingdon.

Niz Smith, project leader for the Oxfordshire Playbus.

The winner of the competition, organised by the Working Women's Forum, part of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, will be named at a gala dinner on November 28, at the Oxford Centre, in Banbury Road, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief.