AN inspiring woman who rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic has been honoured for her heroic journey.

Dawn Wood was invited to Burnham Town Council where she received a specially commissioned award for 'Outstanding Achievements'.

Dawn, who is also a PC for Essex Police's marine unit rowed alone from Gran Canaria all the way to Barbados in just 53 days.

A spokesman for the council, said: "Dawn made a speech about her adventures, which included giant waves, visits by dolphins and a turtle, a near miss with a shark when she was in the water scrapping off barnacles and her managing to secure two beers and chocolate in the middle of the Atlantic.

"She made the journey to raise awareness about pollution and plastics in the oceans – the fact she was self-propelled and otherwise powered by solar energy meant her trip had a minimum carbon footprint."