HORRABRIDGE resident and world-record holder Lee Spencer and Lifton-based ‘The Black Farmer’ have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in the New Year Honours list.

Lee, a former Royal Marine, has been named as a recipient of a British Empire Medal (BEM) for charitable fundraising — and said he was ‘chuffed to bits’.

While Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, who started his company ‘The Black Farmer’ more than a decade and a half ago, has been given the high-coveted MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to farming.

Lee lost his right leg beneath the knee in 2014 when he was struck by debris from a car engine after he stopped to help an injured motorist. Then in 2015 he was part of a four-person team that became the first all-amputee crew to row across the Atlantic, completing the challenge in 46 days.

Earlier this year, Lee became the first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from mainland Europe to south America, a distance of 3,500 miles.

He smashed the previous able-bodied record of 96 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes, gaining a second Guinness World Record in the process.

He did the challenge to not only prove that people are not ‘defined by their disability’ but to also raise funds for two charities — the Royal Marines Charity and the Endeavour Fund (part of the Royal Foundation).

Lee, known as the Rowing Marine, said he was shocked but humbled when he heard the news of his BEM: ‘A massive thank you to whoever nominated me and everyone who helped me — genuinely chuffed to bits.’

Lee’s next charitable challenges include kayaking the Amazon, as part of a team and attempting a solo British triathlon of swimming the English Channel, cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats and running a marathon across Ben Nevis.

Wilfred said about his nomination: ‘It was a massive surprise. I’m used to a lot of surprises in my life but this one really came out of the blue.’

l David Youle from South Zeal also received an MBE for services to local history. David was recognised for spearheading a major restoration project of the Church House, a medieval community building, in South Tawton.