A widow who sold her home to found the first North-East hospice has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List.

Mary Butterwick has dedicated her life to setting up the hospice which now bears her name.

She founded the Butterwick Hospice in Stockton in 1984, inspired by a desire to ease the suffering of others after she watched her husband, John, die a painful death from cancer.

Today her dream has turned into a charity which cares for more than 600 people a year, including children at sites in Stockton and Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

The 79-year-old said yesterday: "If my husband could look down and see me now he would say, 'I don't believe it, Mary'.

"It's not an award for me - it's for everyone who's ever been involved. That's the generous community, people who work here and my family. They have always been people prepared to help their fellow man, and that's the key."

Graham Leggatt-Chidgey, chief executive of Butterwick Hospice Care, said: "We are delighted that Mary's contribution to the hospice and the people of the North-East is being recognised in this manner.

"Mary is in the hospice every day and has seen her initial vision grow from very humble beginnings to a major charity."

A number of well known people from the region are named in the honours list.

Film director Ridley Scott, who is knighted for his services to the British film industry, said: "As a boy growing up in South Shields, I could never have imagined that I would receive such a special recognition."

Sir Ridley, 65, began his career as a set designer for the BBC after studying at West Hartlepool College of Art and the Royal College of Art.

His hit films include Alien, Blade Runner, and more recently, Oscar-winning Roman epic Gladiator.

Bob Murray, the man who lifted Sunderland from Division Three to the football Premiership, has been awarded a CBE for his services to the club, and the York community in which he lives.

Mr Murray said: "My parents had their working class roots in Sunderland and worked extremely hard throughout their lives.

"They did not get the opportunities in life that many people enjoy today, but provided me with the values and beliefs that have given me confidence to succeed.

"They would have been very moved and proud today if they could have lived to see that my personal achievements have been recognised in this way."

England and Newcastle Falcons rugby union star Jonny Wilkinson is celebrating an MBE for services to the game at the age of 23.

Community champion Brian Myers, 60, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the people of Willington. A member of Durham County Council and a former Wear Valley District councillor, he is chairman of Willington Community Partnership.

Senior North Yorkshire councillor June Imeson, leader of Hambleton council, receives an OBE.

A number of people whose lives have been touched by tragedy feature in the list.

Downing Street admitted that it "may not be the glitziest in recent years" .

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the purpose was "about rewarding people who work and serve at the sharp end, people who change things or give outstanding service to others in difficult circumstances".

There were OBEs for Doreen and Neville Lawrence, co-founders of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, whose son was stabbed to death by racists in an unprovoked attack in South London on April 22, 1993. No one has been convicted despite the couple's battle for justice.

Heather Saunders, 45, from Dorset, who receives an OBE, fought tirelessly for the capture of the terrorists who killed her husband, Stephen, a military attache, as he drove to work at the British Embassy in Athens on June 8, 2000.

There is an MBE for the Reverend Tim Alban Jones, who won over hearts nationwide for his ministrations following the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham in Cambridgeshire, earlier this year.

He said: "We have been touched by an act of evil but there have been acts of kindness as well and great goodness where people have come together.

"I was just doing my job, and it seems extraordinary to have it rewarded in such a public way."

Nicholas Winton, 93, a former Stock Exchange clerk from Berkshire, who rescued hundreds of Jewish children from Nazi brutality in 1938 and 1939, was knighted.

Smuggling 669 youngsters out of Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, he became known as 'Britain's Schindler'.

Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott said he was "thrilled but humbled" to receive the OBE for services to charity.

There is a knighthood for actor Alan Bates, OBEs for actress Brenda Blethyn, actor Edward Fox, veteran actress Jean Simmons, now nearly 74, and television chef Rick Stein.

Sam Torrance, who led the unfancied European golf team to victory over the Americans at the Belfry this year, is awarded an OBE.