World and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis has been made an MBE.
The 25 year old, who is a graduate from the University of Sheffield, received the honour as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list, with other sports stars such as triple jumper Phillips Idowu, cricketers Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook, cyclist Mark Cavendish and former basketball player John Amaechi all receiving awards.
“I love my sport and can’t think of anything I would want to do more, and to be recognised for the years of hard work and the success I have had over the past two years means so much,” Ennis said.
Ennis will be aiming to defend her world title in Daegu, South Korea later this year, before hoping to strike Olympic gold on home soil next summer.