MBE for Hick as Faldo becomes Sir Nick

Worcestershire legend Graeme Hick was today awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honour List - as Nick Faldo became English golf's second knight.

The prolific Hick, who struck an astonishing 136 first-class centuries during a career spanning a quarter of a century, said he was 'very honoured' to be included on the list.

And Faldo - the most successful British golfer of the modern era - became only the second professional British golfer to be knighted after Sir Henry Cotton.

Olympic champion Badminton player Gail Emms has been given an MBE, there is a CBE for Peter King, the man who helped turn British cycling into the best in the world, and former England rugby player-turned-commentator Alastair Hignell, who has devoted much of his time to raising funds to combat multiple sclerosis after being diagnosed with the disease in 1999, is also made a CBE.

Charlotte Edwards, captain of England's World Cup-winning women's cricket team, has been awarded an MBE.

Hick said: "I am very honoured with the award. It was not something I expected or set out to achieve. You dream of things and after 25 years it is nice to have that sort of recognition. What are the highlights?

"There are the successful times you have as a team, the friendships, and opening the new New Road pavilion last weekend, which has been named after me, is something that will stay with me for a long time."

Hick helped Worcestershire to win the county championship twice, the Sunday League three times, the Benson and Hedges Cup and the NatWest Trophy. And the 43-year-old, who retired last year, said: "I am not missing playing cricket at all. I've got it out of my system totally. I know that. Even towards the end of last season I was looking forward to retiring. I knew I'd had enough."

Faldo, 51, becomes Sir Nick on the back of a career which has seen him win six majors - three Opens and three US Masters.

He said: "I was delighted to hear the news that I will be receiving a knighthood and am more than a little bit humbled to have been afforded this great honour. It has come as a real surprise."