Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer Josef Craig has received an MBE from the Queen at today's investiture ceremony.
Craig, who won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, was the youngest Paralympic gold medallist at the London 2012 Games.
The 16-year-old swimmer, from South Shields, has been awarded an MBE for services to Paralympic Sport.
The Paralympic gold medallist Josef Craig will officially open a new swimming pool on South Tyneside. Jarrow Community Pool has cost four million pounds and has been built in the grounds of Jarrow School.
Josef Craig will be joined by the Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Eileen Leask, to perform the ceremony on Monday 14th January. Josef will then take the first swim in the new pool.
Paralympic gold medallist Josef Craig has described 2012 as "the best year of my life".
The 15-year-old swimmer, from South Shields, is among those recognised in the New Year Honours list. He has been awarded an MBE for services to Paralympic Sport.
He said: "I'm really proud of everything that's happened and I feel really honoured that I've been part of such a big part of the year.
"An MBE is one of the greatest honours a person can be bestowed on them. For me to be even considered to have one, I feel utterly privileged and honoured."
Craig hit the headlines in the summer when he won Paralympic gold and broke the world record in the Men's 400 freestyle event at London 2012.
In 2012, swimmer Josef Craig, from Jarrow on South Tyneside, became the youngest person to win a paralympic Gold and smashed the world record in the process.
But last night was the icing on a very big cake when he was crowned the BBC Young Sports Personality of the year.
Here is the full report from Kenny Toal.
South Tyneside swimming sensation Josef Craig has capped an incredible year by being named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
The 15-year-old from Jarrow, who smashed the world record and became the youngest swimming gold medalist of the Paralympic Games, was given the honour last night at a star-studded ceremony in London.
Josef is already a hero back at his school, where he was given an incredible reception after winning Gold.
Both staff and pupils there say that he is an inspiration to them.
Josef Craig said 'Big thanks to everyone who was involved in helping me to get the gold. It was a big shock - I didn't expect it.' The 15-year-old went onto thank his parents and friends.
The 400m freestyle swimmer from South Tyneside was the youngest British athlete to win gold in the Paralympics.
Jarrow teenager Josef Craig has won the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year.
He became Britain's youngest gold medalist at the 2012 Paralympics when he won the S7 400m freestyle final.
The 15-year-old was voted by a panel of judges at the ceremony in London on Sunday evening.
The swimmer from South Tyneside became GB's youngest medallist at London 2012 and broke two world records in the 400m freestyle at the Paralympic Games. Now he says he cannot wait to come home to the North East.
Ken and Kim Craig, from Jarrow, describe their pride at watching 15 year old Josef become Britain's youngest gold medal winner at Paralympics 2012.
A 15 year old from South Tyneside is now the youngest ever Paralympic athlete to win a gold medal. Josef Craig, won the men's 400 metre freestyle S7 and set a new world record by swimming the race in 4:42.81.