JANET Shorrock admitted she "felt like royalty" after winning the Observer Ladies' Golf Shield.

The Green Haworth golfer, who had to give 10 shots to her opponent Julie Stephenson from Whalley, secured the victory on the 16th hole 3 & 2. And she said she had a 60-strong crowd, many from Green Haworth, to thank for her win at Whalley Golf Club on Sunday.

"It was amazing," said the school secretary. "People kept saying they were going to come and watch but I never thought they would. I felt like royalty and when I won it on the 16th hole a great cheer went up. I couldn't believe it, it was fantastic. Then, when I got back to Green Haworth, they had bought me a bottle of champagne to celebrate in style!"

Janet played one of the steadiest games of her life, hitting the ball up the middle of the fairway, chipping onto the green and putting well. However, every time she thought she had got the better of housewife Julie, the Whalley golfer made some remarkable recovery shots to keep the game alive.

"I met Julie for the first time on the car park, and we were both a bit nervous as we were both in our first final," admitted Janet. "There were a few mistakes as you would expect but I putted well. At first it was nerve-racking with all the crowd watching but once I got going I forgot about them. And my caddy Angela Smith, from Green Haworth, was really good. She made it easier for me.

"I knew I could win it on the 16th and Julie hit it into the trees so the pressure was really off by then. And it was good to win such a prestigious event. I have been entering the competition for the last five years and just thought I would give it a go, never expecting to reach the final. I would like to thank everybody who supported me."