New Year's Honours: Devon people recognised

Frank Letch was appointed an MBE for services to people with disabilities and the wider community

An engineer from Newton Abbot has become an OBE in the New Year's Honours list.

Dr Sarah Buck is a fellow of the institution of structural engineers and was named the institution's first female president between 2007 and 2009.

She has been appointed an OBE for services to engineering and education.

Frank Letch, 70, of Crediton in Devon, has been appointed an MBE for services to people with disabilities and to the wider community in Crediton.

Mr Letch is a bi-lateral amputee and has worked in a number of voluntary roles helping people with disabilities.

He was chairman of REACH, an association for children with hand and arm deficiency, and was a member of the local access group in Crediton working to increase accessibility in the area.

Mr Letch said: "The reason I work with REACH is because I realise I am in a unique position as I've made it in the world being a teacher, father and driver, having had no arms.

"As far as the kids are concerned, and their parents, Frank has got the T-shirt, if he can do it with no arms you can do it."

Ann Barratt from Dunkeswell was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to young people.

She has dedicated herself to supporting young people and building community integration.

Julie Ann McLean, the director of the work based learning and school partnerships for City College Plymouth, becomes an MBE for services to education.

Deidre Nutt, the chairwoman of Dartmouth Caring, has been appointed an MBE for services to older people.

Charles Albert Stripp, the chief executive of Mathematics in Education and Industry, has been appointed an MBE for services to education.

Linda Ashbarry Hughes also becomes an MBE, for services to the community in South Devon.