Rail boss, weather forecaster and art expert recognised in New Year Honours list

Scientists, sports stars and business leaders have been named alongside unsung heroes from the charity and arts world in the New Year Honours list for Devon and Somerset. Gardeners, conservationists, carers and the region's railway chief also joined the annual roll call as the great and good were rewarded for their endeavours.

Fresh from the battle to keep flood-hit Westcountry rail lines open, First Great Western's regional manager in the West, Julian Crow, received the MBE.

Mr Crow, 61, who lives in Newton Ferrers in the South Hams, said he had been "surprised" and "thrilled" by the honour.

"It is a lovely thing to happen towards the end of a long career," he said. "My wife is thrilled and deserves at least half of it. Having spent so long in the rail industry you just keep your head down and get on with it."

Mr Crow, who was commended for services to the rail industry joined British Rail as a trainee and rose through the ranks, joining Great Western just before privatisation in the 1990s.

As regional manager during the latest franchise he says he is most proud of the renaissance in branch line trains, which has seen record numbers of passengers on half a dozen small lines in Devon and Cornwall. "The real enjoyment has been managing the local services, which are doing better than ever in their history," he added.