A small number of leading figures in the motor industry have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Reg Vardy chairman Peter Vardy has been awarded a knighthood for services to business and education in the North east.

He said: “I would like to acknowledge all the people at Reg Vardy who have helped me create one of the UK's leading motor retailing businesses, the success of which has helped the Vardy Foundation (a charitable trust he established in 1989) to support a number of educational initiatives in the North east.”

Nick Scheele, chairman of Ford Europe, was knighted as a KCMG. Jackie Stewart was also give a knighthood for services to motor racing.

Sheila McKechnie, Consumer's Association director and thorn in the side of the motoring industry during the “rip-off Britain” pricing debate, has been made a dame.