EVENING Times Scotswoman of the Year Adele Patrick has been named a Woman of the Year in a prestigious national awards celebration.

The co-founder of Glasgow Women’s Library said she believed the UK accolade “wouldn’t have happened without SWOTY.”

Adele said: “I am absolutely amazed to have been named a 2016 Woman of the Year and I know it is because of SWOTY.

“I have been blown away by the outpouring of goodwill and generosity from people since the Evening Times gave me the award in February. We have seen hundreds more people come through the doors of the library and I have had so many lovely messages of support and congratulations.

“Being part of the event itself was to be part of a warm, wonderful evening, in a room full of hundreds of fantastic women. I think this event will be very different but I’m looking forward to going.”

She added: “At a time when the spotlight is really on Scotland, and so many barriers are being broken down by incredible Scotswomen in all walks of life, it’s really important we are represented and can spread the word about our achievements.”

Adele, 54, will join more than 400 women from all walks of life at the Women of the Year Lunch on Park Lane in London in October.

Previous attendees have included Nicole Kidman, Professor Mary Beard, Mel Giedroyc, Ellen MacArthur and Julie Walters.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of GWL which is the only accredited museum of women’s history in the UK.

Adele, who has also recently been made a board member of Museums and Galleries Scotland, added: “It is remarkable to think that a project that started from the absolute grass roots can now be a Recognised Collection of National Significance employing more than 20 people and supporting 100 volunteers a year.

“GWL is evidence that organisations can change lives if they are built on sound shared values.”

Women of the Year has recognised, celebrated and inspired women of all backgrounds since 1955 and continues to shine a light on extraordinary women through an annual lunch and awards ceremony, lecture and foundation work.

Sandi Toksvig, President of Women of the Year, said: "I'm looking forward to welcoming all our guests and winners to the Women of the Year Lunch and Awards in London this October.

“I would love to show the room to every schoolgirl growing up in Britain today and tell them ‘you can be whatever you want to be: just look at these incredible women.’”

Exceptional women will receive special awards at the lunch for being an inspiration to others, demonstrated by their courage, selflessness and dedication.

Recent Women of the Year award winners include Jayne Senior, the Rotherham sexual abuse whistle-blower,; Baroness Doreen Lawrence, campaigner for justice following the murder of her son Stephen and astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.