KIRSTY Wark is in the running to be named Woman of Influence in an award recognising outstanding contributions to society.

The broadcaster will represent the arts and media field in the short list announced yesterday by Action for Children Scotland, which runs the annual awards celebrating women from a range of sectors.

Ellie Bird, divisional commander for British Transport Police Scotland, will represent politics and law while Professor Susan Hart, executive dean of Strathclyde Business School, has been nominated in the business arena. Dr Jacqueline Mok, former lead paediatrician for child protection at Lothian University Hospitals, and Angela Porter, director of Glasgow School of Sport, make up the short list. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on March 23.

Carol Iddon, director of children's services at Action for Children Scotland, said: "The women short-listed for this year's award are a beacon of vision."