Rowling overtakes Blair in most powerful list

Cherie Blair (left) and JK Rowling

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has replaced Cherie Blair as Britain's most powerful woman.

Blair has dropped 50 places to languish at 62nd in the Forbes list of the world's most powerful women.

Rowling came in at 40th place, up from 85th position last year. The Queen is in 75th place.

Top of the pile for a second year running is US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who became the first African American to take the post.