DAME Kelly Holmes has picked up the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

The 35-year-old double Olympic gold medalist from Hildenborough beat off cometition from the likes of golfer Annika Sorenstam and Wimbledon tennis champion Maria Sharapova to claim the prestigious honour.

It is the 27th award Dame Kelly has won since her outstanding achievement in Athens last summer.

Other honours have included the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The World Sportsman of the Year honour went to Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer.