Sir becomes a Sir, as does Bond star Roger Moore

Middlesbrough head John Rowling and Roger Moore both earn a knighthood.

The suave actor who played the British master spy in the 1970s and 1980s, heads another glittering roll call of show business stars and sporting icons in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Moore, who played Bond in seven films, receives a knighthood in the Diplomatic List for charitable services, especially to Unicef. His Bond predecessor, Sean Connery, received a knighthood in 2000.

Mr Rowling, of Nunthorpe Comprehensive School, is to be knighted for his services to the profession.

He has been teaching North-East youngsters for four decades and spent the past 19 years in Nunthorpe. Last night, he said: "I suppose you could say I've had plenty of practise for people calling me Sir."

Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting and one of the most successful rock stars in the world, said he was "surprised and flattered" by his CBE. "If my mum and dad were still here they would be made up," said the Wallsend-born star.

David Beckham gets his much-heralded OBE, while the same award goes to England's long-serving batsman/wicket-keeper Alec Stewart, to add to his MBE.

Raucous Scots comedian Billy Connolly, renowned for his prodigious on-stage swearing, is the recipient of a CBE and Prime Suspect star Helen Mirren, known for roles involving disrobing, becomes a Dame in a list that also includes captains of industry and top scientists alongside office cleaners, chauffeurs and lollipop ladies.

There is a CBE for Richard Briers, who is as at home playing bumbling husbands in TV sitcoms such as Ever Decreasing Circles as he is on the Shakespearean stage.

Jools Holland gets an OBE. He is renowned as a multi-talented keyboard player and hosts late-night TV shows, giving new musicians the chance to show their worth.

A delighted Anita Roddick, Body Shop founder, becomes a Dame.

Among others to be honoured in the North-East and North Yorkshire is veteran actor Ian Carmichael, 83 next week, who receives an OBE.

The man who helped steer the country through the foot-and-mouth epidemic of two years ago, the North Yorkshire-based president of the National Farmers' Union, Ben Gill, is also awarded a knighthood.

Former Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Michael Turnbull receives a CBE for his services to the church.

Children's author Anne Fine, who lives in Barnard Castle, County Durham, receives a CBE, while Stan Johnson, who spent £750,000 creating a Eden Camp museum near Malton, receives an MBE.