Political campaigners such as Nelson Mandela are more admired than celebrities who try to raise awareness of world issues.

The former South African president, who spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to apartheid, topped a survey of respected campaigners conducted by charity Christian Aid.

One fifth of people asked said he was the campaigner they most admired.

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst came second and third in the poll of nearly 2,000 British adults, with 14 per cent and 12 per cent each of the vote.

They left celebrity campaigners like U2's Bono, Bob Geldof and Angelina Jolie trailing.

Just 2 per cent of people said they admired Angelina Jolie for her humanitarian work with refugees, and only 6 per cent expressed respect for Live Aid founder Bob Geldof.

The charity said their findings showed "people are more impressed by a deeply serious campaigner."

Christian Aid's campaign manager Rhian Beynon said: "We wanted to find out who people in the UK most admired when it came to campaigning.

"The results were fascinating. For us it is very interesting that people are less impressed by celebrities, than someone who stood his ground over a long time.

"Nelson Mandela set an example as an individual who made a difference."

But Christian Aid said that celebrities who crusade against poverty, disease and suffering should not give up just yet.

Ms Benyon said: "Celebrities can help by lifting the profile of an issue.

"It's really valuable and good for the younger generation to see young campaigners. We're trying to encourage all sorts of individuals to get out there and campaign.

"We can't all be Nelson Mandela, but we can all make a difference in our own way."

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