Madonna has come out trumps in a poll to find the greatest woman in music.

The search, complied by VH1, is said to focus on the last twenty years, with Mariah Carey landing the silver medal.

In third place on the list is Beyoncé, who beat off competition from Lady Gaga, who was named No.4.

Grammy superstar Adele landed at No.5 on the list, whilst the late Whitney Houston is at No.6.

Other notable entries on the list include Janet Jackson at No.7 and the Eurythmics' Annie Lennox, who was named as the 22nd greatest woman in music.