The annual lunch and awards ceremony, held on Monday, October 12, are attended by high-achieving women across the country who have made positive contributions to society.

Miriam was hand-picked to attend the lunch by a council of 40 women including singer Joan Armatrading, actress Maureen Lipman and newsreader Mary Nightingale, in recognition of Miriam winning Carer of the Year in the Pride of Britain Awards 2007 and her continued foster work.

Television viewers voted in their hundreds for Miriam to win the award for her foster work which has seen her care for more than 300 children over the past four decades.

Big-hearted Miriam also stepped in to help to raise money for a young Bridlington couple who were unable to afford to pay for their baby's funeral last year.

She said that she was looking forward to the lunch, which is being held at the Intercontinental Hotel in London.

"I was absolutely shocked and surprised when I was told I was invited" said Miriam.

"I didn't know anything about it, but now I'm really looking forward to it.

"My family paid for me to stay in a hotel overnight so I'm going to be the lady of luxury for a day – that doesn't happen very often, so I'm going to make the most of it!"

Miriam added that as well as meeting esteemed women such as Joan Armatrading at the event, she is also looking forward to meeting other carers.

"At the Pride of Britain Awards meeting all the celebrities was lovely, but I found the most interesting people were actually the other carers and nominees – they all had such stories to tell," she said.

Women of the Year President, Joan Armatrading, said: "In my final year as president I look back over the last five years with great emotion and am honoured to have been a witness to such astounding women and deeds.''

Miriam and her husband Vic rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at The Pride of Britain Awards two years ago. Miriam was presented her award by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and met Carol Vorderman.

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