Hoy knighted in New Year honours

Britain's Olympic heroes have been recognised in the New Year Honours list, with cyclist Chris Hoy knighted.

Team-mate Bradley Wiggins and sailing star Ben Ainslie become CBEs, swimmer Rebecca Adlington receives an OBE and boxer James DeGale is made an MBE.

Team GB cycling performance director Dave Brailsford is made a CBE, as is rowing counterpart David Tanner.

Lewis Hamilton receives an MBE after becoming Formula One's youngest world champion in only his second season.

Reading FC chairman John Madejski receives a knighthood for his charity work, and BBC cricket commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins is recognised with an MBE.

Hoy delighted by huge honour

Scotland's Hoy, recently crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, became the first Briton in 100 years to win three golds at an Olympics with his success in Beijing in August.

Hoy has a double reason to celebrate as his mother Carol, who is a retired nurse, is recognised for her work on sleep-related illnesses.

"It's incredible and I'm absolutely delighted," said Hoy.

"I still can't quite believe it. To be given a knighthood is an enormous honour - it means so much to me and also to my family."