Christopher Lee honoured

Reuters

HONOURED: Dracula actor Christopher Lee and golfer Nick Faldo received knighthoods in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

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Dracula actor Christopher Lee and golfer Nick Faldo received knighthoods in the Queen's Birthday Honours List and a 93-year-old station master got a nod too.

The 87-year-old Lee, famed for his role as the blood-sucking Count in the Hammer horror movie classics, has found popularity with more modern audiences by starring in the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars trilogies.

Former world number one Faldo has captained the European Ryder Cup team and won six majors during an illustrious career.

The Queen's twice-yearly list recognises achievements in all walks of life, from the rich and famous to community workers.

There are 984 nominations in all, more than 70 percent of whom are "local heroes".

They include 93-year-old Iris Horn, the volunteer railway station master in the dainty village of Stogumber in Somerset, who is honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The work of six lifeboat workers, three lollipop ladies and a funeral director is also recognised.

There are MBEs for World Cup-winning England women's cricket captain Charlotte Edwards, badminton player Gail Emms and former England cricketer Graeme Hick, regarded by many as one of the most naturally gifted batsman of his generation.

The man who spotted the recession coming, ex-Bank of England arch-dove policymaker David Blanchflower, will be made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Blanchflower, who stepped down from the Monetary Policy Committee last month, spent much of the last year trying to persuade his fellow policymakers to slash interest rates to avoid a deep economic slump and mass unemployment.

"I am very pleased and honoured," Blanchflower told Reuters.

Classical pianist Mitsuko Uchida will be made a Dame, TV chef Delia Smith gets a promotion to CBE from OBE and former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion will be knighted.

Michael Burgess, the coroner who conducted inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, will receive an OBE.

Reuters