Dame Judi Dench voted Britain`s best female role model

Dame Judi Dench has been named the nation's favourite female role model in a survey carried out as part of a search to find the UK's real women of substance - reports the Press Association.

The actress came top of the poll of 1,000 British women between the ages of 18 and 65, 70 per cent of whom said she had real substance.

Dame Judi was followed by Joanna Lumley and Julie Walters, with JK Rowling and round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen McArthur in joint fourth position.

The Queen came fifth in the survey, with half of those questioned believing that she is a "woman of substance".

The poll was conducted for the A Woman of Substance awards, set up by author Barbara Taylor Bradford to coincide with the 30th anniversary of her bestseller of the same name.

Other female role models in the top 10 include comedian Dawn French, believed by 49 per cent to be a woman of substance, followed by Lady Thatcher and Paula Radcliffe.

Those surveyed were also asked who they thought had least substance.

Socialite Paris Hilton topped that poll, with 70 per cent believing she was not a woman of substance.

She was followed by Kerry Katona, Katie Price and Peaches Geldof.

Entries for A Woman of Substance Awards, which supports charity Target Ovarian Cancer, are being accepted until July 31. Details can be found at www.awosawards.co.uk.

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