TWO community champions from Teignbridge have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.

Brian Smith, from Newton Abbot, the man who kept Dyrons Journal, the Teignbridge Talking Newspaper for the visually impaired, going through the pandemic receives the British Empire Medal for services to the community of Newton Abbot.

Retired GP and community paediatrician Dr Jill Diprose, 76, from Dawlish, has received the British Empire Medal for her services to families with children with special needs.

More than 30 years ago, Jill, a highly experienced community paediatrician, recognised there was a lack of help and support for such families.

Activities, Interests, Music, Support – AIMS – was established to help whole families meet in a safe and supported environment every weekend.

Jill, who still helps out every Saturday, said she was ‘surprised and gobsmacked’ at receiving her award.

She said: ‘It’s a pleasure AIMS has been recognised and I am pleased and excited, it’s so lovely.

‘It’s lovely that people are able to go somewhere where they are totally accepted and the whole family is involved and they support each other.’

Hearing of his honour, Brian said ‘I know it’s a cliché but I really don’t think I deserve this – or certainly no more than hundreds of other people who have gone the extra mile in one way or another over the past couple of years.’

Since the first lockdown, Brian has been producing the Talking Newspaper from his home with the help of other members of the team.

‘We have a wonderfully supportive committee to keep the service going here in Teignbridge,’ he said.

Mid-Devon Advertiser editor Nick Knight said: ‘Everyone at the Mid-Devon Advertiser is delighted to see Brian’s work with the Talking Newspaper being honoured in this way.’