Entrepreneur and star of hit BBC show Dragons' Den Hilary Devey has been awarded a CBE for her services to the logistics industry and her charity work.

The 56-year-old is the chief executive officer of freight haulage firm Pall-Ex, which has been a roaring success to date.

She established the company in the mid-1990s, setting up a palletised distribution network that is the envy of rival logistics organisations.

Ms Devey has a wealth of experience in the logistics industry, having joined a distribution company as a sales clerk at the age of 20. She was forced to sell her house and car to accrue enough money to build her business empire after being turned down for a bank loan.

She will officially pick up her accolade later this year after the Queen confirmed she would receive the honour during her Birthday Honours List.

The TV star said it was "wonderful" to receive such recognition.

"But this should be less about me, and more about the charities that I support and the amazing transport sector in which I am privileged to work," Ms Devey remarked.