Dozens of people from Devon have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list.

Among them is Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter, who led the Sandy Park club to their first ever European Champions Cup title, beating Racing 92 in a thriller in Bristol earlier this year.

The Chiefs also claimed their second Premiership crown with victory over Wasps at Twickenham and the club lead the current Premiership standings by four points.

Baxter has been given the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to rugby.

Speaking to the Press Association news agency about the honour, Baxter admitted that he thought the email he received informing him of the news was a prank.

"I was sat there with my wife, both of us in a slightly bemused state," he said.

Baxter is not the only member of the team to receive an honour with Chiefs captain Joe Simmonds getting an MBE for services to rugby.

The list, which was published today (December 30), recognises individual contributions to communities and the country as a whole.

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June Palmer, headteacher at Torquay's Mayfield School, is getting an OBE for 'services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities'.

Meanwhile, John Laramy, principal at Exeter College, has been given a CBE while Plymouth-based Captain Kidane 'Danny' Cousland received an MBE for his work setting up a network for minority group officers in the military.

Knighthoods have also been given out to Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, and Richard Atkins, the former Further Education Commissioner at the Department for Education.

A full list of the nominations can be seen below.

Knights Bachelor

Richard James Atkins CBE. Lately Further Education Commissioner, Department for Education. For services to Further Education (Exeter, Devon).

The Right Honourable Charles Geoffrey Cox QC MP. Member of Parliament for Torridge and West Devon. For Parliamentary and Political Service (Tavistock, Devon).

Order of the Bath

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Professor Andrew Stuart Thompson. Lately Executive Chair, Arts and Humanities Research Council. For services to Research (Exeter, Devon).

John Laramy. Principal, Exeter College. For services to Education (Exeter, Devon).

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Robert Edward John Baxter. Director of Rugby, Exeter Chiefs. For services to Rugby Union Football (Exeter, Devon).

Joan Mary Edwards. Director of Public Affairs and Living Seas, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. For services to Marine Conservation (Plymouth, Devon).

June Miriam Palmer. Headteacher, Mayfield School, Torquay. For services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (Brixham, Devon).

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Captain Kidane Samuel Jacob Cousland. For services to minority groups in the military (Plymouth, Devon).

James Michael Ford. Lately Foster Carer, Plymouth Fostering Services. For services to Fostering (Plymouth, Devon).

Valerie Teresa Ford. Lately Foster Carer, Plymouth Fostering Services. For services to Fostering (Plymouth, Devon).

Kevin Hammett. For services to Voluntary Fundraising (Barnstaple, Devon).

Emma Margaret Morris. Chief Executive Officer, Stop Abuse For Everyone. For services to Victims of Abuse and to Charity (West Hill, Devon).

Christopher George Phillips. Voluntary Pastoral Worker, Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Charity for the Naval Service. For voluntary service to the Royal Navy (Ivybridge, Devon).

Sharron Robbie. Managing Director, Devon and Cornwall Training Providers Network. For services to Apprenticeships and to Skills (Plymouth, Devon).

Joe Simmonds. Captain, Exeter Chiefs. For services to Rugby Union Football (Exeter, Devon).

Diana Ruth Wastenage. For services to Agriculture (Salterton, Devon).

Karen Hazel Williams. Foster Carer, Plymouth City Council. For services to Fostering (Plymouth, Devon).

Lindy Woodage. Staff Officer, Devon and Cornwall Police. For services to Policing and to Civil Contingency Planning, particularly during the Covid-19 Response (Exmouth, Devon).

Irvine Alan Worthington. Founder, Triangle of Care. For services to Mental Health Patients and their Carers (Sidmouth, Devon).

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Jennifer Bliss. For voluntary service to the Topsham Museum, South Devon (Exeter, Devon).

Janet Ellis. Programme Co-ordinator, Science, South Devon College. For services to Education (Kingskerswell, Devon).

Peter John Hosking. Founder and President, Torbay Prostate Support Association. For services to People with Prostate Cancer (Paignton, Devon).

John Charles Jasper. Volunteer, Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum and Wellington Arts Association. For services to Cultural Heritage in Devon and Somerset (Wellington, Somerset).

Rachel Mary Nichols. For voluntary service to the Topsham Museum, South Devon (Exeter, Devon).

Christina Peacock. For services to Boxing (Plymouth, Devon).

Chris Pedlar. Specialist Team Member, Environment Agency. For services to Prostate Cancer Awareness (Holsworthy, Devon).

Carol Anne Swiecicka. For services to the community in Newton Abbot, Devon (Newton Abbot, Devon).

James Michael Zuppinger. Trustee, RMA-The Royal Marines Charity. For services to the Royal Marines during Covid-19 (Exmouth, Devon).