Ringo Starr, the Beatles drummer, will be knighted in the New Year's Honours, it has been claimed.

Starr will join his bandmate Sir Paul McCartney as a knight, 52 years after receiving an MBE.

Sir Paul was knighted in 1997 but, according to the Sun on Sunday, Starr, 77, had given up hope of a further honour until a letter arrived from the Palace several weeks ago.

The knighthood will be awarded for services to music and charity and announced next week along with a full list of official recipients.

A close family friend told the newspaper: "It came as a bolt from the blue. Ringo was totally knocked sideways but is chuffed to bits."