SWINDON-born explorer David Hempleman-Adams has received a gong in the New Year's Honours List.

Joining the intrepid adventurer on the list is Malmesbury-based tycoon James Dyson and Professor John O'Reilly of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, which is based at North Star.

The 49-year-old adventurer receives a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in recognition of his services to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

"I am delighted to receive the honour obviously," said Mr Hempleman-Adams, who now lives in Box near Bath, with his wife Claire and three daughters.

"I received an OBE a few years ago and this LVO is extra special because it is from the Queen herself rather than the Government."

Mr Hempleman-Adams, who heads out to Canada to take part in an altitude record next month, found out about the award a couple of weeks ago.

"I've been trying to keep it a secret," he said.

"My family are delighted. My eldest daughter came with me to collect my MBE, my middle daughter for the OBE and now my youngest can come to collect this.

"She is pleased as she thought she would never have the chance."

Entrepreneur Mr Dyson will now be known as Sir James thanks to his inclusion on the list.

The multi-millionaire, who employs more than 1,000 engineers and scientists at his vacuum cleaner company, has been given the title for his services to business.

In November he paid himself a staggering £31.5m after the Dyson DC12 became the top-selling vacuum cleaner in Japan last year.

About the knighthood, he said: "I'm obviously very happy. It's a great honour, and really not just for me but for the 1,500 people who work with me in Wiltshire and around the world. They have made a British invention a great international success.

"I invented the original machine and still work in the labs, but I couldn't have turned Dyson into the export success it is without them."

Academic Prof O'Reilly, the chief executive at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, has also been knighted in this year's list for his services to science. He has been behind many projects at the North Star Avenue headquarters such as examining the effects of extreme weather.

Other Swindonians that have received honours in the list are Sylvia Brown who is chief executive of Action with Communities in Rural England, who becomes an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Also receiving OBEs are Norman Jeffery, of Highworth, who is Wiltshire area director for Her Majesty's Courts Service and Patricia Fry, of Swindon, who is head of education, at the training and careers department of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.

She receives her award for services to science.

Huw Evans, former Watchfield Primary School headteacher, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to education.

Mr Evans worked tirelessly at the school for 33 years and held the headship for 30.

He retired this summer but said his biggest triumph there was bringing together children from 38 different nationalities. Colonel Edward Davies, who is based at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, has also been given a CBE.

It is in recognition of his work as the army's Discipline Colonel at a time when the conduct of British soldiers has frequently been a national headline issue.

Being awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) is Marianne Caffrey, who is an IT systems engineer at the Swindon-based Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.

She receives her award for services to Science.

Major Stewart Howells, who is serving at the defence academy, also receives an MBE for his work while serving at Headquarters 7 Armoured Brigade in Germany.