Royal honour for Gurinder Chadha

London: Acclaimed filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is among the many celebrities whose name features in Queen Elizabeth's birthday honours list.

Chadha whose famous films include Bend it Like Bechkam and Bhaji on the Beach bagged the officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) title from the world of film and music.

Her next project -a film version of the 80s soap Dallas is due for release next year.

Others that have made the in the twice-yearly list apart from Chaddha are the founder of low-cost airline EasyJet, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who has been Knighted and retail tycoon, Philip Green, upon whom the title 'Sir' has been conferred.

BBC's longest-serving foreign correspondent Charles Wheeler is also on the coveted list as is soul singer Beverly Knight, who has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her work as a charity ambassador for Charity Aid.

Several police officers were also honoured, including the Metropolitan Assistant Commisioner Andy Hayman who becomes a Commander of the order of the British Empire (CBE).

As head of the specialist operations at the Met Police, Haymon has won praise for his response to the July 7 terror attacks on London.

TV presenter Esther Rantzen was awarded a CBE for services of young people after establishing the telephone help line ChildLine while ballerina Darcey Bussell also conferred with the same title.

The world of fashion was represented with OBEs for designers Lulu Guiness, who has been described as the "queen of English handbags."

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe was also honoured for his services to sport by being made an MBE.

The Honours List pays tribute to outstanding achievement and service across the community.

The officials choose the recipient of the honours, which include both famous names and the common public. However, the monarch gives out the honours.

This year, the recipients include a fish and chip shop waitress, a school bus driver, a funeral director and a nonagenarian rugby player.

Others honoured include a string of high-profile women working in sectors such as firefighting and handbag design.