Alien star Sigourney Weaver has been named the ultimate action hero in a new poll - beating Hollywood hardmen Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone to the title.

The actress' role as Ellen Ripley in the sci-fi franchise was voted number one by film fans, just days after making it onto Entertainment Weekly magazine's Top 20 Heroes Poll.

Movie star-turned-California governor Schwarzenegger landed in second place in the survey conducted by British cable channel Sky Movies, while Stallone and Chuck Norris came third and fourth, respectively.

Matt Damon, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis and Steven Seagal also feature in the top 10.