Black Sabbath guitarist Tony 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.

Source: BBC