Rhona Martin, 35, from Dunlop, Ayrshire, Margaret Morton, 33, from Ayr, Debbie Knox, 33, from Lochgelly in Fife, and Inverness pair Fiona MacDonald, 27, and Janice Rankin, 29, were all awarded MBEs for services to curling.

The Scots swept to victory in February after securing gold for Britain at the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Martin, who captained the team, said: "I was totally surprised when I received the letter telling me of the award. It was a very big shock.

"It is absolutely fantastic and a great honour for all of the team to have received this honour as well as a great honour for the sport of curling and for Scotland.

"This whole year has been a whirlwind of experiences following the Olympic success we had - and this caps it off.

"The whole team has deserved the success and it is great honour that everybody is being recognised in this way.

"Our achievement has given the sport a tremendous boost, with people in countries now playing a sport which they had never heard of before."

The team claimed Britain's first winter gold since ice dancers Torvill and Dean at Sarajevo in 1984.

Following their victory, the curling team went from unknowns to celebrities and were hailed as heroes on their return to Scotland.

Watched by some 5.6 million people, a record figure for a television programme at midnight, Martin famously claimed the victory over Switzerland with her last throw.

MacDonald has since announced she is to retire from competitive action.

The 27-year-old account manager wants to concentrate on her career but will play exhibition matches.