A HAMPSHIRE grandmother has won a bravery award after becoming the oldest person to sail around the world single-handed, non-stop and unassisted.

Jeanne Socrates triumphed in the active agers category at the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons, which were hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Rachel Burden.

Jeanne, 78, of Lymington, was nominated after completing the latest in a series of round-the-world voyages.

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The former maths teacher is currently in Australia, which has closed its borders because of Covid-19 pandemic.

After joining the virtual ceremony via Zoom she said: "Winning this award is fantastic. I am absolutely staggered and feel very humbled.

“I've had to stay in Australia a few months because of coronavirus but I now want to get back to my boat in Canada.

"After my record-breaking sail it needs a lot of repair work and then I can go sailing again.”

The judges added: "At a time of life when people of her years are expected to be taking it easy Jeanne went into turbo charge.

“She was chosen as the winner for her bravery and endeavour by sailing 25,000 miles around the world single-handedly, not only once but three times.

"On her latest voyage she broke the world record for being the oldest person to achieve the challenge. And all this was done after losing her beloved husband George, with whom she learned to sail when they were in their 50s.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, Jeanne left Victoria, Ontario, in October 2018 and arrived back 11 months later.

She beat the previous record-holder, Minoru Saito, who was 71 when he completed a 233-day unbroken solo lap of the world in 2005.

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Other award winners include England footballer Marcus Rashford, who persuaded the government to provide school meals for 1.3 million vulnerable children over the summer, and Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised almost £40m for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 laps of his garden.

Amplifon, which makes hearing aids, was founded in 1950 by Major Charles Holland.

He served in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second World War, receiving the MBE and the Military Cross. His bravery was also recognised by the US, which awarded him the Bronze Star Medal.