A woman who set up a charity for refugees and asylum seekers in the county has been awarded the title Oxfordshire Woman of the Year 2002.

Amanda Webb-Johnson founder and director of Refugee Resources, was among 10 finalists competing for the title, awarded by Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the chamber's special interest group, Oxfordshire Working Women's Forum.

Jo Letherbarrow, the managing director of Witney-based Kindergarten UK Ltd, and Pearline Blackstock, manager of the Unity Project in Oxford, were joint runners-up. Oxfordshire Playbus Project leader Niz Smith came third.

The winners were honoured at a gala dinner attended by 2,000 guests.

Ms Webb-Johnson said: "I'm very honoured to receive this award and to have the opportunity to share recognition with refugees and asylum seekers in Oxfordshire.

"They're ordinary people in extraordinary circum- stances."

The forum created the competition to recognise women who achieved something extraordinary in their career and made a difference to those around them.