Jason Robinson was appointed MBE in 2004

Robinson, 33, was appointed MBE in 2004 and is to be appointed OBE in 2008, following his retirement from the game earlier this year.

Brian Ashton, the Leigh-born Rugby Union coach who took England to the World Cup final, is also made an OBE.

The man in charge of fighting terrorism in Manchester has also been honoured by The Queen in the list.

Det Ch Supt Tony Porter, head of the Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit, has received a Queen's Police Medal (QPM).

Chair of Bolton Primary Care Trust, Pam Senior, has become an MBE for services to healthcare and the community.

Dr Chris Steele, the medic and broadcaster, has also been appointed MBE.

His honour is for services to general medical practice and to broadcasting.

Det Ch Supt Tony Porter heads GMP's counter terrorism unit

Anne Owens, assistant to the clerk of the lieutenancy, has been made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

Professor Stephen Byram Furber, ICL Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Manchester, has been appointed CBE.

He is honoured for services to computer science.

A second professor, Philip Arthur Dyer, consultant clinical scientist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, is also honoured in the list.

He has been appointed OBE for services to medicine.

Director of Student Services at Manchester Metropolitan University, Sheila Aynsley-Smith, becomes an MBE for services to higher education.