A woman from Chelmsford has been shortlisted for the prestigious Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Community Award.

Ann Davis, 70, who runs the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Chelmsford and Brentwood, was nominated for the award by the volunteering organisation, Join In, after they saw the work she did getting people with MS to participate in sport.

Describing what she does, Davis said: "It's about getting people into grassroots sports. It's a social thing as much as it is a physical thing."

Davis's most recent venture, which contributed to her being shortlisted for the award, is getting people with MS to play Boccia.

Boccia is a precision ball sport, similar to bowls, played by people with severe disabilities affecting their motor skills.

She was introduced to the sport by gold medal winning Paralympian Boccia player, Dan Bentley, who she met at the Discover Festival in Chelmsford.

He later came to her sessions and helped her introduce the sport to her group.

Since then, Davis has been shortlisted for a national award, and she found out while on holiday in Spain.

The former deputy headteacher added: “I was just so surprised to get the phone call.

"We had planned to go away to Spain for four weeks but we will be coming back early now for this.

“I suppose I am just very excited, but still very much in shock.

"It’s such a great opportunity and completely a completely new experience for me, but I think it is going to be good fun.”

Davis enjoys what she does with MSS and said she has made some "amazing friends" in the group.

The Community Award, which is in association with Vitality, honours individuals who have actively engaged different groups of people through sport.

The winner will be announced on the evening of Thursday October 26, with the Awards taking place at the Hilton London Bankside hotel.