The Queen's birthday honours list included some of the best known names in British sport, with Jimmy Armfield, Mary Peters and Jeremy Guscott among those recognised.

But awards were made across a whole range of disciplines, from netball to shinty, and at all levels, as referees and administrators were also honoured.

Paul Lawrie: Open champ honoured

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield, once described as the greatest right-back in the world, was given an OBE the year after the final members of the 1966 World Cup-winning side were recognised.

Had it not been for a cruel injury in the run-up to England's finest hour, it could well have been Armfield rather than George Cohen in the team.

The Blackpool star also enjoyed a brilliantly successful career as a manager, before joining the BBC where he is still recognised as one of the best summarisers in radio.

North Ireland's Mary Peters was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire for her record-breaking win in the pentathlon at the Munich Olympics in 1972, and her subsequent work for the community.

Jockey Dick Francis: Services to literature

She was responsible for the refurbishment of the Queen's University athletics track, which was renamed after her, and has played a leading role in the Northern Ireland and British Sports Councils as well as the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

It is her third honour, following an MBE in 1973 and CBE in 1990.

England rugby legend Jeremy Guscott, arguably one of the best centres ever to have played the game, received an MBE.

The Bath star retired from Test rugby after a serious groin injury sustained in the 1999 World Cup. He scored 30 tries for England and played in the back-to-back Grand Slam winning side in 1991 and 1992, amongst a host of other highlights.

Chairman and chief executive of the TAG McLaren Group Ron Dennis was honoured with a CBE for services to motorsport.

Since creating the Woking-based McLaren Formula One team in 1980, Dennis has guided it to 11 driver's and eight constructor's championships.

Jeremy Guscott: With the greats

Scotland's reigning Open champion Paul Lawrie was cheered by his MBE in a week when he was forced to pull out of the US Open with a persistent groin strain.

Former royal jockey Dick Francis was awarded the CBE for services to literature, in recognition of his highly-successful racing-based thrillers.

Former Arsenal managing director Ken Friar and Reading chairman John Madejski were given OBEs, as were Brian Downing for services to the England and Wales Cricket Board and Jeremy Fox for services to modern pentathlon.

Referees were also among those honoured. Rugby union's Derek Bevan and snooker's Len Ganley received MBEs.

Geoffrey Jennett and Susan Lopez were similarly rewarded for services to schools football and women's football respectively.

Other MBEs went to Douglas Mackintosh (shinty); Fiona Murtagh (netball); Malinda Parker (bowls); David Seaton (athletics); Clare Taylor (cricket, football and hockey); and Sydney Wooderson (Blackheath Harriers and athletics).