British actor John Hurt knighted; designer Quant named a dame

Veteran actor John Hurt was given a knighthood and 1960s fashion designer Mary Quant, pioneer of the mini-skirt and hot pants, made a dame in Britain's New Year Honours List.

Other stars honoured on the list include English Patient actress Kristin Scott Thomas and campaigning television presenter Esther Rantzen.

Hurt, who starred as John Merrick in 1980 classic The Elephant Man and as Winston Smith in the 1984 adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2004, but will now become a Sir.

Quant is one of the women who make up 50 per cent of the honours list, recognising her 60-year career in fashion.

She opened her first boutique in London's fashionable Chelsea district in 1955 and became a key figure in the Mod and other youth movements of the 1960s.

Other damehoods were given to Scott Thomas, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and children's campaigner Rantzen.