THE chairman of one of the region's leading car dealers is awarded a knighthood.

Peter Vardy, chairman of Sunderland-based Reg Vardy, receives the honour for his services to business and education in the North-East.

Mr Vardy said: "I am very surprised, but nonetheless delighted, to receive such an honour."

Mr Vardy took over the company after his father's death in 1976, when it operated from a single site in Sunderland.

It now operates 76 dealerships across the country, employs 4,800 people, and is the official sponsor of Premier League football club Sunderland AFC.

The Vardy Foundation is a charitable trust set up in 1989 by Mr Vardy, which supports a number of schools and universities.

It was the major sponsor of Emmanuel College, which opened in Gateshead in 1990, and is currently in discussion with several local education authorities to build up to six new city academies based on the successful Emmanuel model.

Mr Vardy said: "I would like to acknowledge all the people at Reg Vardy who have helped me to create one of the UK's leading motor retailing businesses, the success of which has enabled The Vardy Foundation to support a number of initiatives in the North-East, such as Emmanuel College."