Babs makes list of the nation's top 125 ladies

The Lady magazine compiled a list of 125 of the most "intelligent, empowered and inspirational" women to mark its 125th year.

It draws from a range of spheres including business, food, art, fashion, film, sport and royalty.

Those who made the eclectic line-up include the Duchess of Cornwall, American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, TV chef Nigella Lawson, first female Commons Speaker Baroness Betty Boothroyd and actresses Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.

Ruth Bond, head of the national Federation of Women's Institutes is included, as are Chief Guide of Girlguiding UK Liz Burnley, Welsh singing legend Dame Shirley Bassey, former MI5 boss Dame Stella Rimington and cookery queen Delia Smith.

Veteran newsreader Moira Stuart was also named a top lady, alongside actress and Gurkhas champion Joanna Lumley, Olympic gold medallist turned Dancing on Ice choreographer Jayne Torvill, fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, and the divorce lawyer to such celebrities as Sir Paul McCartney, Fiona Shackleton.

Elizabeth Wilmshurst, the former Foreign Office legal adviser who resigned in protest at the decision to go to war in Iraq, also made the list.