Lowry refuses the Queen five times

Manchester's famous artist LS Lowry refused honours at least five times according to figures released today after an order from the information watchdog following a 15-month battle under the Freedom of Information Act.

Lowry was among 277 people including Trevor Howard, the actor, Alfred Hitchcock, the Hollywood director, Aldous Huxley, the author, and Henry Moore, the sculptor who have turned down honours.

The list shows that Lowry rejected an honour on a record five occasions, including an OBE in 1955, a CBE in 1961, a knighthood in 1968 and an invitation to become a Companion of Honour in 1972 and 1976.