Stella is top role model

Her creations have made her the toast of the fashion world, and she counts Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Liv Tyler among her biggest fans.

Now Stella McCartney's style and moral stance on animal rights issues have made her an inspiration to young girls.

The 30-year-old, who resigned as creative designer of Chloe to launch her own fashion house in 2001 - just six years after graduating from Central St Martins art college - has been named by 10 to 15-year-olds as their biggest role model.

The study, carried out by Girlguiding UK, showed 40 per cent of the girls questioned admired Stella and thought her to be the best role model in the public eye.

Stella beat the likes of Nigella Lawson, Cherie Booth QC and Julie Mellor, the chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission, to win the accolade.

Dr Dorothy Einon, psychologist at University College London, said: "Young girls of that age are into celebrities and Stella is a double celebrity, both in her own right and as Paul McCartney's daughter. She is also admired because she has managed to do something for herself and not just remain in her father's shadow."