Exmouth's 'lockdown legend' Hayley Watson has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2023 New Year Honours List.

Hayley was awarded a BEM for services to the community in Exmouth, particularly during Covid-19.

Speaking to the Journal, she said: "I'm completely overwhelmed with the news.

"I've known for a couple of months and it's been really hard keeping the news from friends and family, I haven't been allowed to tell anyone yet. When I first heard the news I really could not believe it."

Artist Hayley, of the Little Secret Craft and Design Studio, launched the Isolation Creation project during the first lockdown, delivering craft packs to those confined to their homes.

The Isolation Creation project was launched after Hayley was unable to hold her usual arts and crafts workshops due to the first lockdown.

Hayley created kits filled with a variety of materials to help keep families of all ages entertained while they isolate themselves.

The scheme aimed to help people keep their minds active during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Following the success of the project, Hayley, her daughters Eva and Star and Livvie Hylton-Smith, who Hayley collaborated with on the project, were all named ‘Lockdown Legends’.

Hayley was approached about the mural project after her work on the Isolation Creation project was seen online.

Once were released from lockdowns, Hayley turned her attention to helping people get out and about again and engaging with the local community, that is when her and a team of youngsters painted murals around Exmouth, including in Exmouth Subway and one at the Covid hospitals, Exeter Nightingale.

Hayley said: “Throughout the lockdown, I received messages that people needed something yo get them out of the house and being creative again.

Looking onto 2024, Hayley told the Journal: "I would still like to carry on creating murals around Exmouth, I also have a crowdfunding page to raise money for a bus which I can tour around in which will have space in the back for arts and crafts."