Jackie Stewart roars to knighthood

Sir Jackie won three world championships

Racing driver Jackie Stewart, actor Dudley Moore and footballer Alan Shearer are among the hundreds recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

This year's list sees many celebrities from sport and entertainment honoured, alongside the less famous making a difference in their communities.

Knights

Jackie Stewart, for services to motor racing

Terry Farrell, architect for services to architecture and urban design

Christopher Gent, chief executive Vodafone Group, for services to mobile telecoms industry

Peter Job, chief executive Reuters, for services to information and media industry

Kevin Satchwell, head teacher, Thomas Telford School, Shropshire, for services to education

Nearly 460 awards - about half the total number - went to people specifically for voluntary service.

Tony Blair's official spokesman said the aim of the Honours -selected by the Queen on the advice of the prime minister - was to reward people who worked at the sharp end, people who had changed things in often difficult circumstances.

Sporting excellence was recognised with British yachting heroine Ellen MacArthur being made an MBE for her services to sailing.

The 24-year-old, who in February became the youngest person and fastest woman to sail the globe after finishing second in the gruelling 24,000-mile Vendee Globe, was said to be delighted.

Alan Shearer is made an OBE for services to football

Former Formula One world champion Jackie Stewart said his knighthood was "more important than my first win or winning a world championship".

Born in Scotland, Sir Jackie, 63, was one of the most successful racing drivers of all time, winning three world championships.

When, in 1973, he announced his retirement from driving, he had won 27 of his 99 races, a record at the time.

Actor Dudley Moore, born in Dagenham Essex, has been awarded a CBE in the diplomatic and overseas list.

The Hollywood star, who is now seriously ill with the degenerative brain condition Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, is best-known for his "Pete and Dud" double-act with the late Peter Cook.

Hollywood actor Dudley Moore collects a CBE

The 66-year-old, who is also a gifted pianist, starred in films including 10 and Arthur.

Fellow actor Christopher Lee, 79, famous for his horror film roles, gets a CBE, which he said was "unexpected".

Lee has often said he would prefer to be remembered for his non-horror roles than his performances in films like Night of the Blood Monster.

England's former football captain, Alan Shearer, has been rewarded for his services to football with an OBE.

Newcastle star Shearer, 30, has been one of the most prolific Premiership and international goalscorers in recent years.

Other well-known figures to be recognised include actress Pauline Collins, photographer David Bailey, who becomes a CBE, and BBC presenter Moira Stuart, who is made an OBE for services to news broadcasting.

Moira Stuart is made an OBE for services to news broadcasting.

John Galliano, the "enfant terrible" of British fashion design, is awarded a CBE.

Sir Colin Davis, who has been principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra since 1995, becomes a Companion of Honour for services to music.

He once said: "Music is one of the great inventions of the human mind.

"It's not for nothing that children are supposed to do better after listening to Mozart. Cows do better. I certainly do better."

In the world of business, Vodafone's chief executive, Chris Gent, receives a knighthood for his services to the telecoms industry.

Dames

Eileen Atkins, actress and writer, services to drama

Sheila McKechnie, director Consumers' Association, services to consumers

Dela Smith, head teacher, Beaumont Hill Special School, Darlington, services to education for children with special needs

Wendy Davies, head teacher of Selly Park Technology College for Girls in Birmingham

Since joining Vodafone as managing director in 1995, Sir Christopher has built the telecoms group, which is now valued at more than £100bn, into one of the biggest companies in the world.

It was not just famous faces who were recognised.

There is a knighthood for Kevin Satchwell, head teacher of Thomas Telford School in Shropshire.

Last year the school became the first comprehensive in the country with 100% of pupils obtaining at least five top grade A*-C GCSE passes.

William Sinclair Mowatt, from South Ronaldsay in Orkney, who has been a blacksmith for more than 60 years, was made an MBE.

The 75-year-old, who still works full-time, is the fourth generation of his family to become a blacksmith and claims to be the only traditional blacksmith on South Ronaldsay.

He said: "I got a great surprise, but the world is full of surprises. I'm absolutely delighted."