EXMOOR farmer John Pugsley has been made a Commander of the Victorian Order - an honour which only members of the royal family may confer.

Mr Pugsley, who was listed in the Queen's Birthday Honours, has represented tenant farmers on the Prince's Council for the past 18 years.

As such, he is a member of a body that advises the prince on the administration of the Duchy of Cornwall.

"I'm an Exmoor farmer and always have been," said Mr Pugsley, of Zeal Farm, Hawkridge.

"The prince wanted a tenant farmer on his council because most of the duchy's land is tenanted. He thought it would be democratic to have someone who could represent the tenants' interests.

"I was very lucky to be recommended, and I've found it terribly interesting. It's given me an insight into a way of life that I would never have seen as an Exmoor farmer.

"I have been in all the great royal houses through it and met a lot of the royal family. It has been very interesting and I hope I have learned a lot from it."

Mr Pugsley, who has worked closely with Prince Charles including as a management committee member at Highgrove, said his nomination would have come from the prince's office.

The CVO is the second highest award in the Victorian Order, the highest being a knighthood, and it is the royal family's prerogative to grant the honour.

Mr Pugsley is also chairman of Dulverton Foxhounds West and a director of Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions.

He and his wife, Mary, have two sons - Steven, who is leader of West Somerset District Council, and Andrew, who farms at Wheddon Cross. They also have three granddaughters.

Somerset County Council leader Cllr Chris Clarke received an OBE in the honours list