CANCER sufferer Jane Tomlinson MBE, who has battled her illness to raise around £1.4m for charity, was among the women honoured in the Women Of The Year Awards.

A women's rights campaigner, a children's charity founder and two women who brought the extraordinary moving arts exhibition, the Sultan's Elephant to the streets of London were also recognised.

They received their awards at a lunch in London which was attended by 400 women from all walks of life.

Mrs Tomlinson, from Rothwell, near Leeds, recently completed a gruelling 4,200-mile cycle ride across the USA, won the Woman Of The Year Outstanding Achievement Award.

She said her aim had not been to inspire other people when she began her sporting achievements.

"I set out to raise funds and say to people 'make the most of your life, enjoy it'. If it inspires them in that way that's good," she said.

The Woman Of The Year winner was Camila Batmanghelidjh, who founded two charities providing therapeutic and practical support to vulnerable youngsters.