A POET, foster parent and community stalwart are among the four South Devon people awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours' list.

Patricia Oxley, 70, of The Mount, off Higher Furzeham Road, Brixham, receives hers for services to poetry.

She has been general editor of the poetry magazine Acumen since 1984. The magazine is now in its 70th edition. She has been involved with the poetry magazine scene since 1972.

Besides editing the magazine she has been organiser of the Torbay Festival of Poetry for 11 years.

Mrs Oxley, a former analytical chemist in the food industry who has lived in Torbay for the past 36 years, said: "I was absolutely stunned. I just did not think I deserved anything like that and I still don't.

"When I look around and see people doing things for the community and other people doing things that stand out somehow poetry does not seem that important.

"It is important to me and to people who are interested in poetry and I am fortunate to have an award for the work."

Rod Crook, 65, of Stonelands Park, Dawlish, has been honoured for services to education and as a foster parent.

Mr Crook said: "I was incredibly surprised by it. It came as a proverbial bolt out of the blue. I had no idea it was coming."

He was the head teacher of Cockwood's primary school for 23 years until he retired in 2007.

He and his wife Jan have been foster parents for more than 40 years. They still foster as well as having two children of their own.

He said: "We have looked after 30 children, fairly long term, and most of them were teenage girls."

He said he believes part of the award may have been for his voluntary work in environmental education in North Devon.

Devon children's councillor Andrea Davis, said: "Foster carers play a vital role in giving children in care the best possible start in life. Their incredible work providing a loving, stable and secure family life for some of our most vulnerable children makes a real difference.

"I am delighted that Roderick's selfless commitment and tireless devotion to supporting so many children has been recognised."

Helen Cowell, 72, of, Coombe Cross, Bovey Tracey, receives one for services to the community in Bovey Tracey.

She was told of the award the day after her husband Bryan died at the age of 75.

She said: "His death was quite traumatic at the time and I was opening sympathy cards when I came across the letter. It was the last one I opened.

"I was quite upset about it at the time but I have got used to it and now it is something to look forward to.

"I feel quite excited about it. It just seems to be another stepping stone to look forward to."

The award is for more than 40 years work in the community including founding and running the Tracey Troopers majorettes for 25 years, being involved in the Over 60s club for 37 years including being chairman, running the Bovey Belles concert party for 25 years, organising coach and theatre trips since 1979, and being involved in the town's carnival committee and Meals on Wheels.

She is also a director of Bryan Cowell Builders of Jetty Marsh Road, Newton Abbot. The business her late husband started in 1966.

The fourth MBE goes to Caroline Riley, of Paignton, an administrative officer at Jobcentre Plus in the Department for Work and Pensions based at Torquay, who did not wish to comment.

The awards are presented at Buckingham Palace by a member of the Royal Family at ceremonies held throughout the year.