A Norwich woman is in with a chance of winning �10,000 after being shortlisted for a digital hero award for her work with carers.

Wendy Maxwell, from Hellesdon, has worked tirelessly to get carers online and in touch with each other through the website Chill4us ever since she set it up in 2005.

Now she has been shortlisted for the TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards, which aims to reward people around the UK who are using digital technology and the internet to bring about positive social change.

Mrs Maxwell will now go head to head with other candidates from across the country to win a �10,000 technology grant.

She would use the money to buy more laptops for carers across the UK, and is urging people in Norwich to go online and vote for the Chill4us website.

Mrs Maxwell said: 'I'm deeply honoured that so many people would think to put me forward; I was stunned when I found out. But the whole point of this is that the money we could win isn't for us, it's for getting more carers online.

'Carers are left isolated as they often have to stay at home 24/7 because of their caring responsibilities. Having the internet gives them access to help and support, as well as bringing friendship and a bit of laughter into their lives.'

After calling for entries over the last six weeks, TalkTalk has shortlisted the three most deserving candidates from each of the UK's 12 main regions and are opening up the final vote to the public via its website.

Mrs Maxwell is up against two other nominees from East Anglia: Simon Nuttall, from Cambridge, who runs a website called CycleStreets.net to encourage people to use their bicycles more, and Dan Cissokho, from Peterborough, who manages a community radio project.

The individuals with the most votes from each of the 12 regions will be honoured at a ceremony at the House of Lords on December 6 and 11 and will win �5,000 to put towards enhancing their project, while one overall winner will receive �10,000.

To vote, visit www.talktalk.co.uk/digitalheroes/vote before Friday, November 12.

Have you been shortlisted for a national award? Contact Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.