AWARD-winning Tavistock College teacher Crispin Chambers has been recognised by West Devon Borough Council for his outstanding achievement in bringing the Japanese language and culture to the area.

Mr Chambers was given a framed certificate by the Mayor of West Devon, Cllr William Cann OBE and his wife, Mayoress Christine Cann, at a full meeting of the council.

Earlier this year, Mr Chambers was given one of the highest accolades in the teaching profession when he was named teacher of the year in a secondary school for 2013.

The languages teacher has built up one of the biggest Japanese departments in the UK at Tavistock College where around 500 pupils are currently studying Japanese.

He has also helped to foster links between West Devon and Japan through exchange visits and other activities.

Cllr Cann told the meeting: 'We are very lucky to have such an outstanding teacher in West Devon.

'We are rightly proud of him and greatly value the work he does in teaching Japanese to school-children in the area.'

Mr Chambers thanked the mayor and borough councillors in Japanese.

He added: 'It is a great pleasure to receive this honour from West Devon Borough Council.'

'Learning Japanese in school was once unusual but now in Tavistock it is considered usual.

'Through my passion for Japanese, I hope to encourage Tavistock College students to have a more global perspective.'