Britain's Best Recognised On Queen's Birthday

Actors, musicians, broadcasters, sports stars and a road sweeper are among those recognised for their outstanding achievements and services to society in the Queen's birthday honours list.

The 2012 honours list sees the re-introduction of the "working-class gong". The British Empire medal (BEM) was revived by David Cameron in a reversal of John Major's decision to scrap it in 1991.

The return of the medal has allowed the honours system to step up its recognition of "hands-on" service to local communities and the Big Society, according to the head of the Civil Service.

Sir Bob Kerslake, who chairs the main honours committee, said: "Essentially, what we are trying to do is recognise people who have made a real contribution to their communities and to society. What the re-introduction of the BEM has done is help us to extend the reach of the honours system by rewarding hands-on service to local communities."

Some 293 people receive the BEM, including road sweeper Anthony Cleland. The 62-year-old has been serving his community by cleaning the streets in Lambeth, south London, for more than 25 years.

The grandfather of three from Stockwell said: "I am very proud and I think it's great that the BEM has been brought back, it shows that ordinary people deserve to be recognised as well."

A total of 1,201 people were recommended to the Queen for an award, with 1,064 candidates selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level - while 72% of recipients are involved in charitable or voluntary work in their local community.

Beauty therapist Liz Sullivan, from South Wales, who has helped to raise over £1m for research into breast cancer, gets an MBE.

"I have great fun doing the charity work so I feel a little embarrassed but incredibly honoured to be getting this award - I really see it as recognition for all those wonderful people who support the events of In The Pink," she said.

Creative director for fashion house Alexander McQueen Sarah Burton - who designed the Duchess of Cambridge's striking gown for the royal wedding last year - receives an OBE for services to the fashion industry.

And the Queen also included her son, the Prince of Wales, in the list.

He has been awarded the highest rank in all three military services.

The Queen appointed Charles honorary five-star rank in all three services to acknowledge his support in her role as Commander-in-Chief.

He becomes a Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Air Force in the honorary promotion decided by Her Majesty.

Among the other people receiving honours is a police officer who has raised almost £500,000 for a charity fighting an aggressive form of children's cancer.

PC Mark Edwards, who has been a police officer for 26 years, receives an MBE for services to charity and policing. He raised the funds for the charity Joining Against Cancer in Kids (J-A-C-K), which helps children suffering from neuroblastoma.