A Kingston woman who became the fastest woman to row solo across the Atlantic has been named a finalist in the Brave Britons awards.

The final of the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons will be held on October 16 at the Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall.

Kiko Matthews, 36, has secured a place in the finals of the Against All Odds category for rowing her 21ft-long vessel 3,000 nautical miles from Gran Canaria to Barbados in 49 days.

In addition, a panel of judges will choose an Overall Hero Award from the category winners, who will win a trip to Italy.

Ms Matthews survived two tumours and Cushing’s disease, a life-threatening illness which causes tumours, memory loss, psychosis and muscle wastage and rowed across the Atlantic.

The former teacher, who shaved almost a week off the previous record, had never rowed before taking on the Atlantic crossing.

She had her second tumour removed in August 2017 while she was training for the challenge.

Ms Matthews founded the charity The Big Stand and her own paddle boarding business, after quitting her job as a science teacher.

The journey she made across the Atlantic raised more than £70,000 to help build an intensive care unit at King’s College Hospital in London where she received her life-saving treatment.

She said: “The thought that eight months ago I was lying in hospital having my brain operated on and now I am here having rowed the Atlantic, I guess I am a bit proud.”

Her next challenge will be the 260km five day Wadi Rum Desert Ultra Run in Aqaba, Jordan, one of the toughest foot races on earth starting on October 6.