Faldo given knighthood

Faldo, 51, becomes Sir Nick after a career that saw him win six majors including three Opens. He was also captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team that lost to the USA last year.

Other sporting honours include CBEs for Peter King, the man who helped turn British cycling into the best in the world and Michael Brace the ex-chairman of Paralympics GB.

Former England rugby player-turned-commentator Alastair Hignell, who has devoted much of his time to raising funds to combat multiple sclerosis after being diagnosed with the disease in 1999, is also made a CBE. Hignell, 53, also played county cricket for Gloucestershire.

Charlotte Edwards, captain of England's World Cup-winning women's cricket team, has been awarded an MBE, as former England batsman Graeme Hick who retired from Worcestershire at the end of last season.

Badminton player Gail Emms, who retired from the sport following the Beijing Olympics, has also been given an MBE. Emms won Olympic silver in 2004 in the mixed doubles, and bronze, silver and gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Paralympic swimmer James Anderson has been awarded an OBE. Anderson, nicknamed 'Jim the Swim', has competed for Britain at five Paralympics and won six god medals. He previously received an MBE in 2004.

Other OBEs go to Brian Lomax, chairman of Supporters' Direct; Peter Norfolk, quad wheelchair tennis champion from Hampshire; Stuart Smith, the former president of the Lawn Tennis Association; Robert Torrens, for services to cricket and football in Northern Ireland; Malcolm Wilson, team director of the Ford World Rally Team; Zena Wooldridge, chair of England Squash; Anthony Yorke, national manager Paralympic Cycling Team.

Other MBEs go to: William Bratt, chairman of Port Vale; Agnes Chisholm, voluntary services to ladies golf, Ayrshire; John Collins, services to basketball, Northampton; Maria Costello, services to motorcycling, Northants; Gareth Humphreys, voluntary services to lawn bowls, Vale of Glamorgan; Nyree Elise Lewis, swimmer, services to disability sport, Hereford; Sheila Perks, voluntary service to netball, Worcestershire; Gillian Watson, services to equestrian sport, Thame; John Wilson, broadcaster and author, services to angling, Norwich.

Jim Rainey, one of the key figures behind the campaign against sectarianism in Northern Irish football, has also been awarded the MBE.