Ken Dodd and our Rio heroes lead the New Year Honours

Ken Dodd Credit: PA

Liverpool's Ken Dodd has received a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List.

The 89-year-old comedian, singer-songwriter and actor is recognised for services to entertainment and charity.

Ken Dodd make his professional debut in 1954.

He is known for the length of his performances and made it into the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three and a half hours.

The 2017 Honours list reflects the north west's success at the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio during the summer.

Jason & Laura Kenny Credit: PA

The Games' golden couple Jason and Laura Kenny, who recently married in Cheshire, get CBEs for services to cycling. They now hold 10 Olympic gold medals between them.

Jason & Laura Kenny Credit: Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images

Manchester's Kate Richardson-Walsh receives an OBE, while wife Helen Richardson-Walsh is made an MBE following Great Britain's first women's Olympic hockey gold medal.

Kate Richardson-Walsh Credit: David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images

The rest of the team were also made MBEs for services to the sport.

Elsewhere, the former bishop of Liverpool has been made a Knight Commander (KBE) for his services to bereaved families and justice.

Bishop James Jones chaired the Hillsborough Independent Panel - which negotiated the disclosure of documents relating to the 1989 disaster where 96 men, women and children died.

Bishop James Jones Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Archive/PA Images

He said the honour was to be shared with his colleagues and his family, who had supported him through his work on the panel, which published its report in 2012.

  • 1,197 people have received an award.

  • 74% go to people who have undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community.

  • In total 322 BEMs, 503 MBEs and 222 OBEs have been announced.

Lisa McLoughlin from Bolton has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

The 38 year old has made a significant contribution to raising awareness and funds for research into brain tumours in children for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Lisa's daughter Jessica was just six when she lost her battle against a brain tumour.

Victoria Beckham, 42, is made an OBE for services to the fashion industry.

Her honour comes after almost 17 years in the business and 13 years after her husband, former England and Manchester United player David Beckham, was awarded the same title for his services to football.

Victoria Beckham Credit: Frederick Injimbert/Zuma Press/PA Images

News of the former pop star's accolade leaked earlier in the week, ahead of the official Friday night embargo.

Birkenhead-born Patricia Routledge is made a dame.

Patricia Routledge Credit: Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images

The Keeping Up Appearances actress , 87, is recognised for services to the theatre and charity.

Renowned cartoonist Peter Brookes, from Liverpool, has been awarded a CBE for his achievements.

The 73-year-old has spent a quarter of a century providing daily pieces for The Times.

The Parliamentary and Political Service Committee has made a number of recommendations, including a knighthood for David Crausby, Labour MP for Bolton North East.

David Crausby MP Credit: The Labour Party/Press Association Images