A HAMPSHIRE grandmother has won a top award after sailing across the Atlantic and back at the age of 89.

Helen Tew was presented with the Outstanding Achievement in Sport award at the Nojos (Not Old, Just Older) ceremony in London.

Mrs Tew, who lives near Beaulieu in the New Forest, received the award from TV presenter Tyler Slade.

She was also congratulated by the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair, one of several celebrities who attended the star-studded event at the Dorchester.

Mrs Tew said: "I had a nice chat with Mrs Blair, who was very charming and very natural.

"I told her she and her husband should take the family sailing, but she said they were rather busy and didn't have much time."

The awards followed a nationwide hunt by Help the Aged for champion pensioners who have refused to surrender to advancing years.

Mrs Tew sailed into the record books last year when she completed a two-way voyage across the Atlantic.

Accompanied by her eldest son Donald, Mrs Tew took 26 days to make the 2,700-mile trip from the Solent to the tropical island of Antigua.

The return journey started in the Azores on June 18, this time with son James also on board and another son - Ian - sailing alongside. Mrs Tew was away for 11 months and sailed a total of 8,000 miles, earning her the admiration of yachtsmen all over the world.

She made the incredible trip in a 24ft cutter called Mary Helen, which was built for her in 1936 by her late husband John.