Two of the big stars of the 1960s are included in the New Year Honours List - Dusty Springfield and Tom Jones.

Both received OBEs for their services to music, and Ms Springfield spoke of her surprise at the prize.

The 59-year-old singer is seriously ill after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994.

She issued a statement saying: "I'm deeply and genuinely honoured. This is the biggest surprise of my life."

She is best known for her blonde beehive hair and trademark heavy-black "panda-style" make-up, and originally found fame with her brother Tom and Tim Field in a folk trio, The Springfields.

They split up after seeing The Beatles at Liverpool's Cavern Club, and Dusty went solo.

Accepted by soul fans

Her first song, the Motown-influenced I Only Want To Be With You, is still one of her best-loved records. She became one of the few white singers to be accepted by soul fans.

Tom Jones: Also receives an OBE

Other hits followed, including You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, and Son Of A Preacher Man - given a new lease of life by the 1994 film Pulp Fiction.

Her career declined in the 1970s but in 1987 she was rediscovered by the Pet Shop Boys - and their collaboration What Have I Done To Deserve This? reached No 2 in the charts.

She continued to record after being diagnosed with cancer, recording her most recent album A Very Fine Love in 1995 after she received chemotherapy treatment.

But she fell ill again, and was forced to pull out of a planned appearance at the 1998 Brit Awards in February.

Successful TV career

Tom Jones is another 1960s personality whose star rose again in the 1980s. His first hit It's Not Unusual was a No 1 in 1965 and propelled him into a successful TV career. This Is Tom Jones ran for five years until 1974.

Tom Jones: I just be myself

The Pontypridd-born singer then lived in California, performing on the US cabaret circuit until 1988, when he collaborated with British band The Art Of Noise on their cover version of Prince's song Kiss.

Since then his credibility has never left him, and his 58-year-old's sex appeal remains as high as it was when he was in his 20s.

In recent years he has wowed crowds at the Glastonbury Festival, and peformed a duet with Robbie Williams at the 1998 Brit Awards.

When he collects his OBE, it will be his second royal date of recent months. In the summer, he peformed for the Prince of Wales at a Prince's Trust fundraising show.