Robert Plant and Terry Pratchett win honours

In December 2007 Pratchett announced he had a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's disease, and earlier this year he donated 500,000 pounds to research into the disorder.

FORMULA ONE

Hamilton, 23, became the youngest Formula One world champion in November in only his second season competing in the annual championship.

The first black driver on the Formula One motor racing circuit, Hamilton is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), a lower ranking award.

The Olympics squad won a fresh haul of honours after coming a better-than-expected fourth in the Beijing medals table.

As well as Hoy's knighthood there were awards for double gold-winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington, 400 metres champion Christine Ohuruogu and double cycling gold winner Bradley Wiggins.

There were also honours for Olympic sailing gold medallists Ben Ainslie, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb.

Fourteen-year-old Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds was made an MBE after winning two golds in Beijing, becoming the youngest person ever to be royally honoured.

There was an OBE for actor Michael Sheen, who played former Prime Minister Tony Blair in the 2006 film "The Queen," and a CBE for jazz musician Courtney Pine.