Variety Club honours veteran star Barbara Windsor

Much-loved star Barbara Windsor - who bowed out of EastEnders this year after 16 years as Peggy Mitchell - has been honoured for her outstanding contribution to showbusiness.

The 73-year-old star was rewarded for her achievements at The Co-operative Variety Club Showbiz Awards.

Other winners included TV talent show The X Factor which triumphed over hit rival Strictly Come Dancing to collect the best entertainment prize.

And dance troupe Diversity, winners of Britain's Got Talent, were awarded the inspirational young talent award ahead of Doctor Who star Matt Smith.

Windsor, who said farewell to Albert Square in September, was given her Bernard Delfont Award by theatrical producer Bill Kenwright. The pair worked together almost 40 years ago, when Kenwright appeared alongside Windsor as a reporter in Carry On Matron.

Last night's event, presented by comedian Justin Lee Collins, also saw two generations of the same family collecting trophies.

Screen hardman Ray Winstone was named film actor of the year, while daughter Jaime collected the outstanding British film award for Made In Dagenham.