A foster couple who have cared for more than 350 children over three decades and a lollipop lady lead the field of 'ordinary' heroes in today's New Year honours.

They are among dozens of Midlanders ranging from charity workers to school heads and public servants who join stars from showbiz and sport in the list.

The Ashes-winning England cricket team, including Warwickshire's Ashley Giles and Ian Bell, are all honoured in recognition of the summer's sporting highlight, while the heroes of the July 7 London bombings are honoured for their bravery in dealing with the aftermath of the atrocity.

In the Midlands, the roll call of honour is headed by former Warwickshire Chief Constable Christopher Fox and playwright Arnold Wesker, who receive knighthoods.

But it is the stories of 'ordinary people' such as Antony and Ann Homer, from Ped-more, in Stourbridge, who have cared for more than 350 children over 34 years.

The couple are made MBEs and 63-year-old Mr Homer said: "We are just ordinary people doing something we love."

Also made an MBE is Brenda Mann, a school crossing warden at St Laurence Junior and Infant School in Northfield, Birmingham, and Dr Dorothy Keighley, a GP who helped hundreds of former Longbridge workers and their families following the demise of Rover.

Mrs Keighley, who is to retire after 30 years with Cofton Medical Centre, in Longbridge, said she was "gobsmacked" at the honour and paid tribute to the exRover workers as "an amazing community".

Plaudits for the superhuman rescue efforts of the heroes of July 7, when London was hit by a wave of terror attacks, dominate today's list.

The rescuers' valour and heroic achievements were hailed by Downing Street as demonstrating "immense strength of spirit and courage". They were also plainly responsible for limiting the death toll to 56, which included the four terrorists.

The atrocity involved the blowing up of three London Underground trains, at Aldgate, Edgware Road and between King's Cross and Russell Square, and a No 30 bus in Tavistock Place.

London transport workers, medics, members of the emergency services and care work-ers paid no heed to the dangers to themselves as they ran into tunnels, offered first aid to the injured and comfort to the panic-stricken as they carried them to safety.

There are also awards for those who continued to care for the injured as they battled for life after the attacks.

The list contains the usual crop of showbusiness personalities and there is also recognition for Lord Coe and the team which secured the 2012 Olympics for London.

Five Britons who dedicated the past year to helping victims of the Asian tsunami are also among those honoured.

Tom Jones, the singing phenomenon who progressed from humble beginnings in the Welsh valleys to international acclaim, gets a knighthood.

His honour is the culmination of an astonishing career which has brought him worldwide fame with hits such as Delilah, It's Not Unusual and The Green, Green Grass Of Home.

There is a CBE for the 77-year-old all-round entertainer Bruce Forsyth, most recently seen as the jovial, singing and dancing co-host of the BBC smash-hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

Forsyth said: "I will be Strictly Come quick-stepping with delight with my wife tonight, and if she won't dance with me then I'll dance with my Alsatian dog."

Actors Robbie Coltrane, of Cracker and Harry Potter fame, and Vera Drake star Imelda Staunton receive awards, as do the Beverley Sisters and veteran jazz musician John Dankworth.

Vivienne Westwood, the fashion designer and one of the creators of punk, becomes a Dame. Peter Snow, the outgoing so-called "monarch of the election swingometer", is recognised with a CBE.