AN ANTI-POVERTY campaigner and former Echo reporter has been named one of six Women of the Year.

Jack Monroe, 26, who shot to fame with her frugal recipes for recession-hit Britain, accepted the DFS Enterprise Award at the 60th Women of the Year awards lunch at the InterContinental Hotel in London.

The Echo columnist was recognised for her creativity and strength of character in feeding herself and her young child when a single mum on only £10 a week.

She came to fame by publishing her budget-busting recipes on a blog, before releasing her first cookbook, A Girl Called Jack, in February.

Her second book with the publisher Penguin is due out this month.

Commenting on the award, she said: “When I first heard the news that I’d been chosen for the Women of the Year Awards, I was completely surprised.

“As someone who has the pleasure of meeting a lot of inspirational women in the work I do, I am proud and humbled to be chosen for this award.

“I will continue to campaign against poverty in Britain and raise awareness of cooking and eating well on a budget.”

Jack continues to campaign for social issues in Britain and currently fronts a petition with Unite, the Trussell Trust and the Mirror newspaper, demanding politicians debate the causes of food bank use and hunger in the UK.

Helen Normoyle, of DFS, added: “It is an absolute honour to be able to recognise Jack Monroe with the Women of the Year DFS Enterprise award.

“Jack has written about how one can survive on very little money, inspiring countless others in the process.

“Since then, she has continued to champion the plight of people living in poverty and is a real role model for many other women.”

Jack Monroe writes a Frugal Food recipe column in the Echo every Thursday.