Ellen DeGeneres' PETA honour

Dec 31, 2009, 13:05 GMT

Ellen DeGeneres has been named Woman Of The Year by charity PETA.

The US TV host was awarded the title by People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for her work in raising awareness of their campaigns promoting a lifestyle which is friendly to nature.

Tim Gunn, who appears on fashion programme 'Project Runway' in the US, was named Man Of The Year.

PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said: "Tim Gunn and Ellen DeGeneres show us that one person really can make a difference in the world by rejecting cruel deeds in favour of compassionate acts.

"Their message that animals must be treated kindly and respectfully has reached scores of people, and many of them have changed their buying habits, all because Gunn and DeGeneres spoke up for the voiceless."

Ellen, who fronts a self titled show, said she was delighted by the honour.

She tweeted: "I'm honoured PETA named me 'Person of The Year'. I thank them for protecting animals every single day. Amazing."

PETA said it gave its accolade to Ellen for being vegan and championing the meat and dairy-free lifestyle by inviting experts like Jonathan Safran Foer and Dr. Neal Barnard on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'.

Tim's contributions include narrating the charity's 'Fashion Victims' video, about extreme practices in the fur and reptile skin trade and for being creative director at fur-free fashion chain Liz Claiborne.

Both stars will be awarded plaques and a letter of appreciation.