2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Reacting to the announcement the 23 year old said: "It is a massive honour and incredible privilege for me to receive an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen. It is the most amazing culmination to what has been quite a year for me. The support I have received from the UK as a whole has been fantastic and a huge motivation, it is something I am very appreciative of.

"This is not just a proud moment for me, but also for my family and every single person involved with the McLaren team. I could not have achieved any of this without them.

"It has been an outstanding year for British sport as a whole, and it is great to see so many fellow sportsmen and women being honoured today.

"I am also very humbled to be included on the Honours list alongside all the members of the general public who have been recognised for their tireless work in such varied and worthwhile arenas. I am very fortunate to have been awarded for achieving my dream, it has required a lot of hard work and dedication, however it has been worth every single minute and I only hope that I can inspire young kids to do the same, whatever their dream may be."

Hamilton was one of a number of sporting figures honoured in the list following a year of British success. Scotland's Chris Hoy , who won three gold medals at the Olympics was Knighted, while swimmer Rebecca Adlington becomes an OBE.