AN 88-year-old great-grandmother who has been virtually blind for four years has been nominated for an award in recognition of her fighting spirit.

Edna Tristram has only 1% sight in each eye but that has not stopped her accompanying disabled children on trips to the seaside and befriending other visually impaired people who need cheering up.

As well as that she continues her hobbies of bowling and pottery and regularly cooks for her daughter Janet, 50.

Edna also helps Janet, with her work with disabled children at a centre in Dairyhouse Road, and bakes them cakes and scones.

Even then she finds enough time to work with the Derbyshire Association for the Blind.

Now Edna, of Crewe Street, Derby, has been nominated for a Community Champions award.

She said: "It's very pleasant and really strange to be nominated for the things I do every day – but I'm very proud.

" I've never been able to sit down because I always like to keep busy.

"It's nice to phone up others and cheer them up because, if you feel off it and they feel off it, then you can either be miserable together or happy together, and I would rather be happy."

Edna, who has five children, eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren – many of whom she hosts over Christmas – said she particularly enjoyed the seaside trips with disabled children.

She said: "When I go to the seaside with Janet and the children, we always make a game of it because the children will run about for ages and then come up and ask me: 'Where are they?

"I know, of course, they mean the cakes I make. It's always such good fun."

Edna, who lost her husband of 57 years, Bill, seven years ago, has been a keen bowls player for more than 20 years, despite having two knee operations.

She does her own washing and cleaning and cooks meals for daughter Janet, who is allergic to wheat.

Edna said: "One thing being nominated does for you is show you that you're appreciated and that's a lovely feeling."

She was put forward for a Community Champions award by long-time friend Christine Lister, 62.

Christine, of Stanton Street, Derby, said: "She's such a happy soul and an inspirational figure because she never moans and complains, despite what she's going through.

"She's still the happy, family-orientated woman I knew when we first met and has remained that way after her operations and when Bill died.

"We never argue – she's a great friend and a wonderful person."

The Derby Telegraph has teamed up with BBC Radio Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Derby City Council and Derby County Football Club for this year's Community Champions awards.

On Sunday May 16, our 14 winners will be invited to a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium, where local celebrities will award their prizes.

Nomination forms can be found at www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/champions or www.bbc.co.uk/derby. They are also in some copies of the Derby Telegraph, or can be collected from BBC Radio Derby, in St Helen's Street, Derby, and from Derbyshire Building Society branches.

They should be sent to Caroline Jones, Community Champions, Derby Evening Telegraph, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH by Friday, April 2.