Stars of the silver screen Kate Winslet and Kenneth Branagh are to take the lead at this years honours list for the Queen's birthday, with the acting pair being awarded a CBE and Knighthood respectively.

Winslet, 36, becomes one of the youngest women to receive the honour, which she is being awarded for her services to drama. Speaking with The Guardian, she said the CBE was unexpected and made her "very proud to be a Brit".

Branagh, 51, was "humble, elated and incredibly lucky" he said of his knighthood - which he is being awarded for his services to drama and to the community in Northern Ireland.

He will not be the only person to be recognised for his services to local communities though, as for the first time in 20 years the British Empire Medal, or BEM, will be awarded to members of the public for services to the local community. Prime Minister David Cameron has reinstated the awards in his never-ending bid to put his privileged upbringing behind him, and make it seem as though he is exactly the same as the common man.

As expected, Gary Barlow will also be honoured at the ceremony, as he will receive an OBE for services to music and the Jubilee celebrations. Comedy writer ARMANDOD IANUCCI will receive an OBE, whilst there are MBEs for LUKE DONALD, the golf world No 1, SHANE WILLIAMS, the former Wales rugby international and David James, former England goalkeeper.

Songwriter RICHARD STILGOE and CHARLES DUNSTONE, founder of the Carphone Warehouse, will be awarded knighthoods for their philanthropy and former MP turned Olympics organiser Tessa Jowell will be honoured with a CBE for her work with the Olympics Committee.

1,064 candidates have been chosen to be recognised by the Queen, and will receive either an BEM, MBE or OBE according to the list that was officially published yesterday.