Knighthood for hotelier Hastings

Leading NI hotelier Sir William Hastings

Leading Northern Ireland hotelier William Hastings has received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Dr Hastings, who received his award for services to tourism and to the community, was among 72 people who received honours.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie, and Deputy Chief Fire officer Louis Jones received OBEs.

NI construction company owner Davy Patton also got an OBE.

Dr Hastings, 80, said: "I am truly overwhelmed at the enormous honour bestowed on me by the Queen.

"My wife of 50 years who has always supported me will also receive the title she deserves in becoming Lady Hastings."

School principal Imelda Jordan was among 72 people honoured Birthday Honours NI List 2009

He is the owner and chairman of the Hastings Hotel group in Northern Ireland, which includes the Culloden, Europa Hotel and Ballygally Castle.

Imelda Jordan, principal of St Colm's High School, Twinbrook, has been given an OBE for services to education. The school was targeted in a series of hoax bomb alerts last year.

Dennis Norman McAuley, Principal Scientific Officer, Forensic Science Northern Ireland becomes an OBE. Mr McAuley directed the forensic operation in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb.

Surgeon James Peyton, who was given an OBE, is also a qualified lawyer and a member of the Territorial Army.

Esme Maxwell helped save the life of a little baby

During the first Gulf War he was a senior instructor to the Allied Forces, training medical and paramedical staff and later taught medical management of chemical and biological injuries and missile injuries.

Irish cricket legend Robert 'Roy' Torrens received an OBE for services to cricket and football in Northern Ireland.

The vast majority of the awards in Northern Ireland are MBEs.

Birthday Honours NI List 2009 They include airport worker, Esme Maxwell, who helped save the life of a seriously ill baby.

Ms Maxwell has worked on the information desk at Belfast International Airport since 1987, during which time she has helped countless troubled travellers.

She said: "It's just not me... it's for everyone.

"I consider myself very privileged to work in the environment I'm working in because you do get the opportunity to help people."

Frederick George Wilson of FG Wilson Engineering also becomes an MBE for services to entrepreneurship and to engineering.

Javaid Naveed of the Muslim Family Association was given an MBE for services to black and minority ethnic people in Northern Ireland.

Former Belfast councillor Reverend Eric Smyth becomes an MBE for services to the community in Belfast.