SIDCUP-born children’s artist Quentin Blake will receive a knighthood.

The illustrator, known for his distinctive drawings in Roald Dahl’s books, was among a select group of people to be included in the New Year’s Honours list.

The news coincided with his 80th birthday and is in recognition of his services to illustration He was first published at the age of 16 in the satirical magazine Punch - while he was still a pupil a Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, and went on to illustrate almost 300 books with writers such as John Yeoman, Joan Aiken and Michael Rosen. Mr Blake also worked on more than 150 episodes of hit children's show Jackanory.

Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Kate Bush was named among those to receive a CBE. The Bexleyheath-born star, who studied at St Joseph’s Convent Grammar School in Abbey Wood, shot to fame with her debut song Wuthering Heights which surged to the top of the charts in 1978.

Frances Duffy, of Sidcup, who works in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport was awarded an OBE for public service to the Royal Wedding and Diamond Jubilee.