THREE influential role models have been nominated for a prestigious national award.

A police sergeant, an MP's inspirational caseworker and a Whitefield mum who was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 12 have all been nominated in the UK' largest Diversity Awards.

Sgt Abed Hussain, who has served with Greater Manchester Police for 24 years, and Ummrana Farooq, a caseworker for MP James Frith, have been nominated for being positive role models for race, religion and faith.

Mum-of-six Emma Murphy, from Whitefield, has been nominated as a positive role model in the disability category. Based on her own experiences, Emma has been campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of taking Epilim — one of the registered trade names of the anti-epilepsy drug sodium valporate.

Mrs Farooq, aged 43, said: "I am keen to leave a lasting legacy in the Bury community and I aspire to be a great role model to my own children and to wider society."

The mum-of-five said "her life changed completely" after she began working as a caseworker for James Frith, MP for Bury North, handling asylum and immigration enquiries for constituents.

She had previously worked at Bury Carer’s Centre, organising various multicultural events, with a focus on promoting equality and diversity.

As her influence expanded, Mrs Farooq has also been appointed fundraiser for Muslim Hands charity, parent governor at The Derby High School and St Thomas’s Primary School, as well as the chief BAME co-ordinator for the Bury North Labour Party.

Mrs Farooq added: "I have been asked how I manage being a British Pakistani Muslim wife, mother, friend, work colleague and community volunteer. To give inspiration to other women, especially the ethnic minority, I recently started a blog of my inspirational journey, hoping to reach out to the women worldwide."

Meanwhile, Sgt Hussain is recognised for his work to build relationships between members of the police force, faith leaders and young people.

He created Bury’s LGBT Rainbow Walks and first ever Pride march. He also set up the Bury Muslim Forum, which has helped to increase the understanding and reporting of domestic abuse and other issues, and planning the multi-faith Collabor8e event.

In December 2018, he received a Queen's Police Medal (QPM) in recognition of his contributions to policing.

This year's Diversity Awards, which recognise role models of diversity within various fields, will take place at Liverpool Cathedral on September 20.

Voting closes on Friday, May 31. To vote for your chosen nominee, visit https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk.