Dame Ellen MacArthur sailed into Cowes to crowds of well-wishers

Dame Ellen, 28, was given the honour after sailing her record-breaking B&Q trimaran to her home in Cowes, where 5,000 turned out to welcome her.

She told BBC news: "It is nice to come home, but to come home to a welcome like this is just very, very special."

She became the fastest person to sail solo non-stop around the world.

Its just wonderful to come back home. Time off will be wonderful Dame Ellen

Among the crowds of well-wishers were a group of schoolchildren cheering and waving flags, who said: "We are really proud of Ellen especially for breaking the world record, and especially for coming from Cowes. We think she's great."

Speaking about what life has been like since she arrived back on dry land, Dame Ellen said: "It has been pretty frantic since I came back.

"I think the best thing is to see it all just like a dream.

"Days like these are not reality, they are dreams - it's amazing.

"It's just wonderful to come back home. Time off will be wonderful."

Councillor Peggy Jarman, who presented the yachtswoman with her honour, said: "Ellen's achievement has really put the Isle of Wight in the world's spotlight."

MacArthur becomes only the second person to be presented with the Freedom of the Isle of Wight, joining Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella.

The Freedom confers the right to drive sheep down the road, among other historic privileges, but is intended mainly as a ceremonial honour.