ROUND-the-world sailing heroine Dee Caffari has been named a Woman of the Year.

The 33-year-old yachtswoman has been honoured after becoming the first female navigator to sail around the world single-handedly, against prevailing winds, earlier this year.

Previous winners include former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US singing sensation Tina Turner.

Dee, who lives in Sholing, Southampton, told the Daily Echo she was amazed and overwhelmed when she received her invitation to attend the awards lunch, where the keynote speech will be given by entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox.

Dee, 33, said: "I am completely overwhelmed by it all. It is amazing to get an invitation to be among such high calibre company.

"I am definitely looking forward to it. Not only will it be a lovely lunch with interesting people, but to know I am there for the recognition of what I went through and what I have achieved is very special.

"All this is all very new to me and it will probably be a case of me sitting there and star spotting. It will be good fun."

The Woman of the Year lunch is in its 51st year, bringing together outstanding women from all walks of life in recognition of their achievements.

Dee added: "Life is really exciting at the moment. I am still planning on what to wear to the lunch but that is all part of the excitement. I am really looking forward to it. I have a lot of respect for these women and I cannot wait to hear their interesting tales as well as reciting my own."

This is not the only special invitation Dee has received since she landed back in Southampton after her epic voyage on May 21.

She said: "I have also been invited to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony which I am also very excited about. I am used to sitting at home and watching it so I am looking forward to that and hope the people of Southampton get behind me for that too."

Although every woman who attends the event is considered a Woman of the Year, there are also four awards presented at the lunch on October 16, including the overall 2006 Woman of the Year title.

Two Hampshire women are also in contention for awards.

Sarah Eberle, from Stockbridge, and Rosy Hardy, of Whitchurch, have been selected for their green fingers.

Both won a RHS Gold Medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.