Sussex stargazer and TV favourite Patrick Moore is to be made a knight in the New Year honours.

The 77-year-old stargazer, who has been presenting The Sky At Night for 43 years, is honoured for his services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting.

He said: "I wasn't a bit surprised - I was astounded because I think there are many other people who deserve a knighthood far more.

"I am obviously delighted but I'm afraid I can't quite get used to the idea of being Sir Patrick.

"I'm glad the cat's out of the bag now because I was finding it hard to keep it a secret."

He was made an OBE in 1968 and a CBE in 1988, the same year as the minor planet number 2602 was named after him.

The astronomer's BBC programme is now longest-running TV series with the same presenter. He has also written more than 170 books on astronomy, all on his 1908 typewriter.

Sir Patrick was born in Pinner, west London, and his passion for astronomy began when he was six.

At the age of 11 he saved up £7 10s for his first telescope and became a member of the British Astronomical Society.

At 16 he rejected glasses in favour of his trademark monocle.

Despite constant interruptions to his schooling due to heart problems Sir Patrick won a place at Cambridge University but then the Second World War broke out.

By lying about his age and health he got into the RAF and served as a navigator in Bomber Command.

While he was serving his country his fiancee Lorna was killed by an air raid and he has never married.

Earlier this year he had to have shrapnel from a bomb blast removed from his right knee.

After the war Moore lived with his mother Gertrude until she died in 1981, aged 94.

He inherited her love of music - she trained as an opera singer in Italy - and regularly plays the xylophone.

He now lives in Selsey with his 21-year-old godson, Adam Collie. A mini-observatory at his home enables him to keep an eye on the sky at all times.