Former England manager Bobby Robson is the toast of the country after he was knighted in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours List.

The 69-year-old boss of Newcastle United said he was "delighted and thrilled" at the award.

He was joined in the list by a host of others from sport, showbiz and business.

But their surprise at being chosen probably did not match the shock of some of the other winners - who included a cheesemaker from Yorkshire, a lollipop woman from Wolverhampton and a postman from Devon.

Paula Radcliffe: Awarded an MBE

Sir Bobby said: "It comes on a day when our minds are focused on our national team and I wish them the very best of luck in the remainder of the tournament."

Other sports stars from England to be included in the list were Cheshire-born long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe and rugby union star Jason Leonard, who received MBEs, as well as Clive Woodward, head coach for the England Rugby Union team, who was given an OBE.

Brian Cass, managing director of the controversial pharmaceutical research firm Huntingdon Life Sciences, was honoured for services to medical research.

'Humbled' headteacher

His lab has been the focal point for animal rights protests in recent years after workers at the plant were filmed mistreating animals in a television documentary.

Robert Dowling, a headteacher who specialises in rescuing failing schools, was knighted - making it two years running that a headteacher from the state sector has been given the honour.

Sir Robert, head of George Dixon International College in Birmingham, said he felt "humbled" by the honour.

He founded Selly Oak special school in Birmingham 12 years ago and it is now a "beacon" school because of its success.

Other people celebrating after being knighted include:

David Wilmot, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police

Nick Winterton, Conservative MP for Macclesfield in Cheshire.

Trevor Nunn, director of the Royal National Theatre

Ian Kershaw, history professor at Sheffield University.

Among those from the arts in England who were given awards were opera director, TV personality and doctor Jonathan Miller.

The 67-year-old, who had a string of hits in the 1980s with revisionist productions including a Mafia version of Verdi's Rigoletto, received a knighthood for services to music and the arts.

He said in a statement: "I am surprised and very pleased."

Novelist Sebastian Faulks, author of best-selling books Birdsong and Charlotte Gray, was handed a CBE.

Sebastian Faulks: Awarded a CBE

The Birthday Honours also threw up some unusual winners - including Judith Bell, a 51-year-old cheesemaking farmer's wife who was given an MBE for her services to the food industry.

Mrs Bell, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has been involved in developing food production strategies since 1989 when she set up her cheesemaking business Shepherd's Purse.

Valerie Moody, from Middlesbrough, was given an MBE for her work to teach children who are part of travelling shows and circuses.

And lollipop lady June Hartshorn, from Wolverhampton, was also honoured after becoming the city's longest-serving crossing patrol woman.

She said: "I just love the job - the weather doesn't put me off - I'm acclimatised to it."

Among the other MBEs are:

Molly Badham, founded of Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire

Olive Clapp, a church organist from Luppitt, Devon

Helen Keats, a housing officer from Portsmouth

Doreen Mahoney, who has spent 42 years as a cleaner at Bristol University

Debra Veal, transatlantic rower

Devon postman Richard Lethbridge