Barbara Windsor's career in film and TV has spanned 50 years

The 66-year-old star of EastEnders and the Carry On films was honoured for a career spanning 50 years.

Former BBC soap EastEnders star Ross Kemp presented the award, and fellow cast members were among the audience.

She said: "I am just gobsmacked, I did not know the ceremony was going to be like this."

Others to receive awards at the ceremony included BBC News correspondent Orla Guerin.

She received the BBC news and factual award for her recent reporting from the Middle East.

Celebrate

The awards ceremony, attended by more than 700 industry professionals, was designed to celebrate the talents of women working in front of and behind the camera in television and film.

Calendar Girls stars Julie Walters and Helen Mirren were honoured

The 10 winners included the cast of British comedy film Calendar Girls, who won the international contribution to the medium award.

Film director Gurinder Chada, whose movies include Bend It Like Beckham and Bhaji On The Beach, won the creative originality award.

Scriptwriter Shawn Slovo, whose credits include the film version of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, won the script award, while the business award went to Anne Wood, founder of Ragdoll - the company behind Teletubbies.

Producer Anita Overland, whose credits include The Book Group, won the project management award, while the television award was awarded posthumously to documentary film-maker Polly Bride.

Director Sarah Gavron took the new talent award and make-up artist Jenny Shircore won the craft award.

Actors Colin Firth, Juliet Stevenson and David Morrissey - plus artist Tracey Emin - were among celebrities presenting awards at the ceremony.

Windsor was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus in March this year and subsequently fell down the stairs, and broke her ankle.

She said: "I left EastEnders last year to have a year off and do what I wanted to do.