A FORMER Axminster mayor has been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

John Jeffery has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Axminster.

Mr Jeffery spent many years serving on the town and district council and was elected mayor in 1994, as well as being made an Honorary Alderman by East Devon District Council in 2015, which is given to people who have given ‘eminent services to the council as past members’.

He has helped and worked for many community groups and causes in the town, including the Guildhall, Axminster United Charities and Axminster Carnival.

He has dedicated a lot of his time to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he volunteered as a teenager, Axminster Chamber of Commerce and St John Ambulance.