Road sweeper Anthony Cleland who is among the first local heroes to receive a British Empire Medal (BEM)

The full spectrum of public service has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, with everyone from a road sweeper to the designer of Kate Middleton’s wedding dress getting awards.

Sarah Burton who became an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list

This year’s birthday list sees the re-introduction of the British Empire Medal (BEM) known as the ‘working-class’ gong because it recognises hands-on service in communities.

Among the 293 people given BEMs is road sweeper Anthony Cleland, 62, for services to his community after 25 years cleaning the streets of Lambeth, south London.

The grandfather-of-three from Stockwell said: “I am very proud and I think it’s great that the BEM has been brought back, it shows that ordinary people deserve to be recognised as well.”

While Mr Cleland’s achievements have gone largely unnoticed in the wider world until now, Sarah Burton is very much at the other end of the publicity scale.

Pc Mark Edwards who has been awarded a MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list

As creative director for fashion house Alexander McQueen, she has been a very high-profile figure, not least because she designed the Duchess of Cambridge’s striking gown for the royal wedding last year.

She gets an OBE for services to the fashion industry.

Helen Asprey, personal private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, is made Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, an honour bestowed by the Queen.

Other London figures to be honoured include a knighthood to Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Michael Boyd.

Jimmy Carlson, 64, from Islington, London, who is to receive an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to homeless people

Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid, who designed the aquatics centre at the Olympics Park, is to become a Dame, as well as former culture secretary Tessa Jowell for service in support of the Olympics.

A former alcoholic who spent nearly a quarter of a century sleeping rough is among those acknowledged.

Jimmy Carlson, aged 64, spent 23 years homeless or living in hostels, but turned his life around and is awarded an OBE for services to homeless people.

A police officer who has raised almost £500,000 for a charity fighting an aggressive form of children’s cancer has been awarded an MBE.

Pc Mark Edwards, who has been at the Met Police for 26 years, was named in the honours list for his services to charity and policing.

A total of 1,201 people were recommended to the Queen for an award, with 1,064 candidates selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level - while 72 per cent of recipients are involved in charitable or voluntary work in their local community.