A POLL of the most influential disabled people in Britain has

put an artist immortalised in Trafalgar Square fourth from the top.

Artist Alison Lapper, a mother-of-one from Shoreham, was born with no arms and shortened legs due to a congenital disorder.

Last September a sculpture of her naked at eight months pregnant was placed on the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square.

The 13-tonne work by sculptor Marc Quinn has drawn praise from disabled people across the land as a celebration of beauty in all forms.

Ms Lapper has been thrust into the limelight and is now a campaigner for the rights of disabled people.

A poll by national newspaper Disability Now named her as the fourth most influential disabled person in Britain - and the top-placed woman.

In first place was Chancellor Gordon Brown, who has sight only in one eye. Jack Ashley, a deaf Labour member of the House of Lords, came second and astrophysicist Stephen Hawking was third.

Ms Lapper said: "It's very flattering.

"People see me as a campaigner but I didn't start out that way - it's happened over time. Now people recognise me as a force to be reckoned with over disability rights.

"I'm not really that much of a political animal but that makes it easier for people to relate to me."

Disability Now editor Sarah Hobson said: "She reached the top of the list because she's pushed the barriers for disabled people and especially women. She's so proud of her body and she's not afraid to show it."

The list also recognised Nicola Smith, 44, from West Sussex, who is the co-chair of the Learning Disability Task Force, and took 19th place.