CRICKETING legend and serial charity fundraiser Ian Botham has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Speculation had grown in recent weeks that he was in line for the honour and tonight he spoke of his delight.

Also honoured is Ann Ming, the campaigning mother from Norton, Stockton, who has been awarded an MBE.

Mrs Ming created legal history when she worked to overturn the 800-year-old douible jeopardy law, which prevented people being tried twice for the same offence.

Botham is widely known as England's finest all-rounder and has raised £10m for leukaemia Research through eleven long distance walks covering thousands of miles.

The 51-year-old, who lives at Ravensworth, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been knighted for his services to both cricket and charity.

He said his cricketing fame was the key to his success as a fundraiser.

"One does not work without the other," he said. "What I achieved on the cricket field and the status I achieved with the public has allowed me to then go and raise the money for leukaemia."

Botham, or Beefy to his fans, added: "There have been a lot of friends who have helped out along the way. It's been hard work but a lot of fun and I have to say one of the most satisfying things I have ever been involved in.

"I'm delighted that I've been honoured, not only for myself but for the people that have helped me get there."

Speaking of her honour, Mrs Ming said she was "absolutely over the moon" at getting the MBE.

She was enraged when Billy Dunlop was cleared of killing her daughter, Julie Hogg, in Novermber 1989. Supported by The Northern Echo and local MP FRank Cook, she spent years taking on the legal system.

Her efforts were rewarded last year when she and her husband saw Dunlop sentenced to life at the High Court in London for killing 22-year-old Julie.

She said: "I have to thank everybody who supported me throughout the 17 years, especially The Northern Echo."

* For a full list of the North's honours, read The Northern Echo on Saturday.