NFU regional director for the South West, Mel Hall, was awarded a MBE in this year's Queen's birthday honours.

Mel, aged 33, was nominated for the honour for the crucial part she played saving thousands of animals during the floods of 2007 by ensuring essential water deliveries were made to stranded farms across her region.

Mel said she was delighted to receive the honour, but stressed it was on behalf of a huge team effort.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this award on behalf of all the people who worked so tirelessly last year including the local group secretaries, regional staff, the local office holders and, of course, the farmers themselves.

"Everyone pulled together to get water to stranded livestock. The humanitarian effort was absolutely critical and we were able to secure water supplies during that time."