Comedian Ronnie Barker is to be honoured as one of Oxfordshire's most remarkable achievers of the century by Her Majesty The Queen.

Mr Barker, 70, of Dean, near Chipping Norton, is named alongside Battle of Britain fighter aces, scientists who helped map DNA, statesmen who guided Britain through the Cold War, pop stars and sportsmen. The idea was conceived by Lord Levene, the current Lord Mayor of London, to bring together several hundred people who, through their own achievements, have contributed to the economic and cultural success of Britain. Lord Levene said: "The success of this country is down to individuals and individual effort. This is something that deserves recognition." Also included is Sir Roger Bannister CBE, pictured right, who became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes on May 6, 1954. He still lives in north Oxford and is also a distinguished neurologist and a former master of Oxford's Pembroke College.

The individuals, some of whom reside in Oxfordshire, will be honoured by a luncheon at the Mansion House, Lord Levene's official residence on Tuesday, November 2, in the presence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. *Ronnie Barker OBE, comedian, writer and performer. One half of the famous Two Ronnies, with Ronnie Corbett. Quit showbusiness 11 years ago at the height of his success, to open an antiques shop called The Emporium in Chipping Norton. Reunited briefly this year with the other Ronnie for a TV tribute. *Sister Frances Dominica, the founder of the Helen House hospice for children in Oxford. She founded the home after being moved by the plight of brain damaged four-year-old Helen Worswick. It opened in 1982. Raised £1m in less than two years to start it. The Duchess of Kent remains one of its strongest supporters. *Matthew Pinsent MBE, one of Britain's most successful rowers and double Olympic gold medallist, based in Henley. Former president of Oxford University Boat Club. After the 1992 Olympics, said rowing would never go back to being a "forgotten sport". Rowing partner of four-times Olympic gold medallist Steve Redgrave. *Susan Greenfield, world renowned scientist, author and Professor of Pharmacology based at Lincoln College, Oxford. Became the first woman to head the Royal Institution last October. A leading researcher into Parkinson's Disease. In 1994 she was the first woman to present the Christmas Lectures. *Stephanie Shirley OBE, founder of Henley-based FI Group - a large information technology consultancy originally set up to allow young professional women to work from home when raising a family. *Sir Martin Wood OBE, A leading scientist and industrialist who was also a founder of both Oxford Instruments plc, and the Northmoor Trust environmental project. *Sir Richard Doll OBE, retired head of Green College, Oxford. Formerly a medical scientist who established the link between smoking and cancer. Based at the Radcliffe Infirmary. *Richard Dawkins, Eminent zoologist of New College, Oxford. Contemporary preacher of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Sets out to prove that "God is a deeply untidy frill". *Lt Col George Styles, hugely respected for his extensive bomb disposal work in Northern Ireland and London for more than 20 years. Lives in Abingdon. Won the George Cross. *Sir David Weatherall, Nuffield Professor of Clinical Medicine and Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University. Won the Gold Medal of the Royal School of Medicine.

Story date: Thursday 28 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.