Corrie veterans gets medals from the Queen

The actresses have notched up almost 100 years of combined service on the "Street" playing characters that have endeared themselves to millions of viewers since they first joined the cast in the 1960s.

Knox, 77, is best known to viewers as Rita Sullivan, while co-star Derbyshire, 79, has played one of TV's most enduring figures, having first appeared as Emily Bishop nearly half a century ago.

Speaking after the investiture ceremony the 77-year-old actress said: "It's very overwhelming quite honestly because it's something I've done all my life and loved and suddenly I've got an honour.

"I suppose we do give a service, so many millions love the programme, so there you are – it's still very surprising."

Asked whether the Queen is a fan of the soap Knox replied: "I'm rather led to believe she does watch when she has time and she has visited the Street so she does know about it." Derbyshire said her decision to take on the role of Emily, which was only supposed to last a week, was the best career move of her life.

Her character is the second longest-running character, after Ken Barlow, played by Bill Roache.

The actress said: "I went for an audition for the show after it had started and they said 'It's all cast but we think it will probably run a bit more than 13 weeks' – what an understatement.

"They said 'The part's only for one week', but I thought 'It's work' and took it – probably the most amazing decision I ever made."

Actress Anne Reid, 75, who played Ken Barlow's doomed first wife Valerie before leaving the soap in the early 1970s, was also awarded an MBE during the ceremony.