A Bristol lecturer has been nominated for a national award which highlights the achievements of British Asian women.

Adeela Shafi, who is Tory prospective MP for Bristol East, has been nominated in the Social and Humanitarian category in the Asian Women of Achievement Awards.

Mrs Shafi, a lecturer in psychology at the University of the West of England who is married with four children, was nominated for the award for her work with earthquake victims in Pakistan and her voluntary sector work in Bristol.

Now in its 10th year, the awards celebrate the contribution that Asian women make to British life.

The other nominees include Seetha Kumar, head of BBC Online, and Hong Kong-born choreographer and producer Carolyn Choa, wife of the late Oscar-winning film-maker Anthony Minghella.

The winners of each category will be announced at a ceremony at the London Hilton on Wednesday, May 20.

Mrs Shafi, 36, said: "An award like this is fantastic, not just for the recognition of the work that you do but perhaps more importantly as an inspiration for others that such work has value and recognition in the wider sphere and acts as an encouragement factor."