A DUNFERMLINE woman has been shortlisted for the Women In Meat Industry Awards.

Claire Simpson, a training manager with Craft Skills Scotland in Perth, is a finalist in the Training and Education category.

The annual awards recognise the important and significant contributions that women make across the UK's meat sector and the winner will be decided through public and industry votes.

Claire said she was "delighted, humbled and proud" to be nominated as one of the country's top females – and the only Scot in her category.

She joined the organisation 18 years ago after working at Dunfermline Athletic.

"I was told the work would only be for a few weeks," she laughed. "Here I am – 18 years on – so I must be doing something right."

Scottish Craft Butchers executive manager Gordon King said Claire was "an inspirational and patient trainer" who was completely dedicated to the education of others in a raft of sector skills.

"Claire was one of the pioneers in the meat industry, forging roles for women within a male-dominated profession," he said.

"She has proved inspirational in her dedicated approach to training and has successfully steered Craft Skills Scotland through a rebranding, upgrading and IT transition that sees us a far more efficient and trainee-focussed operation that she is justly proud of.

"In her time in post, she has worked diligently with hundreds of trainees and their success over the years is testament to her skills and commitment as well as theirs."

Claire will attend the awards dinner in London on November 11 when the winners of each of the 10 separate categories will be in line for the overall Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award.