Tony Iommi made an MBE in King's Birthday Honours

Black Sabbath guitarist Toni Iommi has said it is an "unbelievable honour" to have been made an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours.

The 78-year-old musician from Birmingham has been honoured for services to music and to charity.

Iommi is famed for co-founding Sabbath - a band widely hailed as a pioneer of the heavy metal genre – alongside the late Ozzy Osbourne, Terrence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward.

He has also dedicated himself to philanthropy and is focused on humanitarian projects such as international disaster relief, as well as cancer patient advocacy, having been diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012.

Iommi said: "What an unbelievable honour to receive an MBE.

"Music has been my life and I've been very lucky to share this journey with many amazing people and fans, and I'm very grateful for all the support along the way.

"It's been a privilege doing something I love and then to see that music connect with so many over the years.

"And, to be able to help raise money for charities close to my heart has meant the world to me."

Born in Birmingham in 1948, Iommi almost did not pursue a career in music after being told he may never play again when he lost the tips of two fingers on his right hand during an industrial accident.

Among the other people recognised in the King's Birthday Honours is Dr Beverly Lindsay, the chair of the Association of Jamaican Nationals UK, who is being made a Dame.

She is being recognised for services to the West Midlands and to charity.

Lindsay came to Birmingham from Jamaica to complete her secondary education and worked in nursing, midwifery and the community before setting up her own travel business.

She has always championed the Afro Caribbean community, becoming the first Afro Caribbean woman president of Birmingham Rotary Club.

Lindsay received an OBE in 2011 and became a Deputy Lieutenant in 2013 and served ten years, the last three of which she was Vice Lord Lieutenant.

Meanwhile, Professor Monder Ram, also a Deputy Lieutenant, has been made a CBE for services to ethnic minority business and entrepreneurship.

As founder and director at the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at Aston University, his work has shaped the field over the past three decades, resulting in several social science inspired initiatives that have benefited diverse and overlooked communities.

Several foster carers across the region have also been honoured for their work.

They include Mandy Blair and Colin Blair from Birmingham who have received OBE awards.

Tahira Ali, a foster carer for Birmingham Children's Trust's Fostering Agency, and Satbinder Bains, a foster carer for City of Wolverhampton Council, have both been made MBEs.

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