RECORD-breaking solo yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur said today she was "deeply honoured and humbled" after picking up an award recognising the outstanding achievements of women.

It came on the day she revealed she hadn't considered marriage or having children. "I can't imagine my life ever being any different from the way it is now," she said.

The 24-year-old, who shot to fame in February when she became the fastest woman to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe non-stop, won the Chairman's Award at the European Women of Achie-vement ceremony in London.

Taking a break from an 8,000-mile double crossing of the Atlantic on her beloved vessel Kingfisher to attend the awards, she said she hoped her story would inspire other women.

Guest speaker Dame Vera Lynn - the sweetheart singer for British forces in the Second World War - presented the award at the European Union of Women ceremony.

After a video of MacArthur's exploits on the waves, Dame Vera said: "I feel so proud, it is quite moving." MacArthur, from Derbyshire, but whose Kingfisher team is based on the Isle of Wight, said: "I feel incredibly privileged to be here. I have always had a dream and I followed that dream.

"Lots of other people have been behind my work. Many others should be sharing the credit."

The 5ft 2in yachtswoman came second in the round-the-world Vendee Globe race in February, making a dramatic homecoming in Southampton, and is currently second in the EDS Atlantic Challenge.

She was taking a two-day break and working on her autobiography before setting off on the next leg of the race today - a 3,430-mile trip to Baltimore, US.