London, July 13 : Dame Judi Dench has been voted Britain's favourite female role model in a survey.

Conducted for the A Woman of Substance Awards, the poll showed that 70 per cent of the 1,000 British women participants, between the ages of 18 and 65, took the veteran actress to be the woman who had real substance.

The 74-year-old star beat fellow actress Joanna Lumley, followed by actress-novelist Julie Walters.

Round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen McArthur bagged the fourth spot, and wrapping up the top five was British Queen Elizabeth II.

The awards, meant to recognise and honour the "unsung heroines" in the UK, were the brainchild of author Barbara Taylor Bradford

"It''s great to see these acclaimed actresses, sportswomen and the Queen being recognised as strong female role models," the Scotsman quoted Barbara as saying. (ANI)