HE can now stand up and say: "My name is Sir Michael Caine." The screen veteran is the biggest name on the Queen's birthday honours list, receiving a knighthood.

What's it all about? Services to the film industry of course, celebrating a near-40 year movie career that stretches from his portrayal of an upper-crust officer in Zulu to the benevolent orphanage boss in The Cider House Rules.

It was the latter role that won him an Oscar, two weeks before he was given a Bafta fellowship. In his Bafta acceptance speech, he protested that he had been made to feel an outsider in his own country. He is certainly an insider now.

Caine follows his great pal Sean Connery along the red carpet. The former James Bond will receive his knighthood this summer. This honour came after Connery's complaint in 1998 that his failure to get 'Sir' status was politically motivated.

These two men have entertained millions and are among our best-loved exports. We will be delighted to see the Queen tap them on the shoulder with the ceremonial sword - particularly if they have taken the chip off first.

In York, Peter Addyman has received a well-deserved CBE. He has done more than most to popularise archaeology, founding the world-class Jorvik Viking Centre, soon to undergo a £4.8 million revamp.

Mr Addyman, director of York Archaeological Trust, has helped to bring the dusty world of historic relics vividly to life. His pioneering work paved the way for others to follow, notably Channel 4's Time Team, who filmed in York last year.

We send our congratulations to him and all the recipients of today's honours.