Dame Helen Mirren has been named the world's sexiest older woman.

The Prime Suspect star topped a poll which included screen siren Sophia Loren and British beauty Joanna Lumley.

The 61-year-old still wows fans on the red carpet.

She has admitted to dressing more glamorously since playing the Queen in her latest film role. "After playing the Queen, I'm desperate not to look like the Queen," she said.

"I just want everyone to look at me and go, 'How could she be the Queen? She doesn't look anything like her!' It's a lot of effort."

Second in the list was Hollywood actress and eternal blonde Goldie Hawn.

Charlotte Rampling was third, followed by Susan Sarandon and 80-year-old Avengers star Honor Blackman.

Joanna Lumley was sixth, Vanessa Redgrave seventh and Lauren Hutton eighth.

Sophia Loren was ninth - still looking so fabulous in her 70s that she recently posed for the famous Pirelli calendar.

Blondie star Debbie Harry, now 61, completed the top 10.

The poll was carried out by the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex, with 1,000 people asked to name the most sensational woman over 60.

Lakeside spokeswoman Clare Lamont said: "This survey shows that 60 really is the new 40. All the ladies in the list are fit and fabulous, with a mature beauty that most women half their age can't imitate.

"Let's hope we all look this good when we reach our 60s."

Top 10 sexiest older women 1 Dame Helen Mirren

2 Goldie Hawn

3 Charlotte Rampling

4 Susan Sarandon

5 Honor Blackman

6 Joanna Lumley

7 Vanessa Redgrave

8 Lauren Hutton

9 Sophia Loren

10 Debbie Harry