HARRY POTTER - ROWLING AND HAMILTON HONOURED AT PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been honoured with a special recognition prize at the Pride of Britain awards 2007.

The ceremony, shown on ITV1 at 21:00 BST tonight, featured a wealth of celebrity guests including Prince Charles, Ewan McGregor, Peter Kay, Sugababes, Westlife, Ant and Dec and Dame Shirley Bassey, all present to honour the UK's unsung heroes.

Rowling was named in the special recognition category alongside Europe's oldest man, the Stormont security guards who thwarted an attempted bombing and the first female winner of the Queen's Gallantry award, and was presented with her prize by Harry Potter star Emma Watson.

And formula one hotshot Lewis Hamilton was awarded the inspiring personality trophy, after his spectacular debut season took him to the brink of the drivers' championship title.

Prime minister Gordon Brown, accompanied by wife Sarah, presented the award for outstanding bravery to John Smeaton, Michael Kerr, Alex McIlveen and Stephen Clarkson, the four men who endangered their own lives to stop the attempted terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport in June.

The prime minister commented: "It's a great honour to take part in Pride of Britain, a highlight in our national calendar, celebrating the very best of our country."

Jamie Oliver, Little Britain duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kelly Brook also attended the event.