Zooey Deschanel who has edged ahead of figures such as Pippa Middleton and Emma Watson to the title of the year's most desirable woman

Five Londoners have made it into the top 10 of a ‘most desirable women’ list, including Pippa Middleton and Emma Watson.

However, the capital’s hottest talents were all beaten to top spot on the poll by American actress Zooey Deschanel.

The US star, who heads the cast in Channel 4 comedy series New Girl, was most popular among more than 150,000 UK readers of website AskMen.com.

Highest ranking Briton on the list was Harry Potter actress Watson at number two.

London-born model Daisy Lowe was at number three.

Pippa Middleton was ranked sixth, four places ahead of her sister Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

X Factor judge and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos was named at number nine on the list.

Readers of the website were asked to vote for the 99 Most Desirable Women based on looks, sex appeal and who would make an ideal partner.

Charlie Parrish, editor of AskMen UK, said of 31-year-old Deschanel: “She’s talented, charming, successful and beautiful, someone men want to be with and women would like to befriend.

“This year, we’ve really seen the developing tastes of British men reflected in their votes and it’s incredibly positive to discover so many cultured, contemporary choices like Zooey, Emma Watson and Lana Del Rey beating the more traditional pin-up favourites.”