Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu has been named the sexiest Asian woman by the British newspaper Eastern Eye.

On claiming the top spot for the second time after 2005, the Indian actress said: "I'm glad I got the crown back and will try and hold on to it this time.

"I think sexiness goes beyond looks and is a total package, from your personality to the way you carry yourself in your everyday life.

I'm really grateful to all who voted for me because I work very hard," added the actress, who is looking forward to her next release "Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal".

Commenting on Bipasha's international appeal, Hamant Verma, editor of Eastern Eye and the founder of its Sexiest Asian Women in the World List, said: "Bipasha is a living embodiment of sexual attractiveness. Her acting ability, beauty and charm are capable of arousing great interest in her from the world's media."

Last year's winner, former Miss World and Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, bagged the third position this year while actress Madhuri Dixit was voted the runner-up.

The top ten women are - Bipasha Basu, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai, Laila Rouass, Shilpa Shetty, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Iman Ali.

The public voted for those they thought were the sexiest Asian women from a list of 100 names published in the newspaper and on its website. The chairman of the judges' panel was Eastern Eye's show business editor Asjad Nazir.

British babes on the 2007 list include Laila Rouass (5), Amrita Hunjan (20), Sophie (33), Pooja Shah (36), Konnie Huq (40) M I A (42) Parminder Nagra (43), Bat for Lashes (46), Selina Soopramanien (47) and Anjlee Desai (48).

It is the third time that Eastern Eye has published a list of 50 Sexiest Asian women.

The 2005 winner was also Bipasha. Commenting on her selection, 28-year-old Bipasha said, "I'm glad I got the crown back and will try and hold onto it this time. I think sexiness goes beyond just looks and is a total package, from your personality to the way you carry yourself in your every day life. I'm really grateful to whoever voted for me because I work very hard."