Dr Walker was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1997 for his part in explaining how cells are powered. In research that took more than fifteen years, he managed to map the structure of an important enzyme that catalyses adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - the molecule that carries the chemical energy that operates the body.

He is just one of a clutch of scientists working at the Medical Research Council's Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge to be made a Laureate. His latest accolade from the Queen is given in recognition of his achievements in his chosen field.

Recognition for women

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who holds the Chair in Physics at the Open University, gets her CBE for her services to astronomy. It was she who, in 1967, discovered the first pulsar - a rotating super-dense star that emits brilliant flashes of electromagnetic radiation at each revolution, like the flashes from a lighthouse.

Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell recalls her early research

Professor Bell Burnell says the Honour is a fillip for her science and the women working in it. "There are not very many women in senior positions in physics and astronomy," she says. "When I was appointed by the Open University, my appointment doubled the number female professors of physics in this country - so I am pleased for the recognition of that.

"I am pleased also that physics and astronomy are being recognised. It's very important that these key subjects get that kind of recognition."

Public understanding

There is also a CBE for Nigel Hawkes, Science Editor of The Times newspaper. Mr Hawkes has spent 32 years in journalism. Most of that time - he had a spell covering foreign affairs for The Observer - has been spent writing about science.

"Although you don't get terrific prominence - you don't get a lot of stories on page one - it's always interesting because there's always different things happening," he says.

He believes his award has something to do with the government's desire to see better promotion of the sciences. "I suppose they thought that if they wanted a better public understanding of science they'd might as well recognise a journalist who has spent his career doing it."

Other Honours in the sciences include:

• Knight Bachelor - Professor John Richard Krebs, FRS. Chief executive, Natural Environment Research Council. For services to Behavioural Ecology.
• CB - David John Fisk. Chief Scientist and director, Environment International, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
• OBE - Robin Andrew Williams. Chief Scientist, UK/EC Survey of the wreck of the MV Derbyshire. For services to Marine Investigation.
• OBE - Professor David Stanley Ingram. Lately Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. For services to Plant Science and to Education.
• OBE - Professor Ian Newton, FRS. Head, Avian Biology Section, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. For services to Avian Research.
• OBE - Professor Leonard Robert Morrison Cocks, TD. Lately Keeper of Palaeontology, Natural History Musuem. For services to Palaeontology.
• OBE - Professor Patrick Paul Anthony Humphrey. Director, Glaxo Institute of Applied Pharmacology. For services to Migraine Research.
• OBE - Professor Peter Douglas Dunn. For services to the development of Innovative Energy Technologies.
• CBE - Professor Sirius Naraqi. For services to medicine and science.
• CBE - Professor Richard Bailey Flavell, FRS. Lately director, John Innes Centre. For services to Plant and Microbial Science.