Paralympic cox Lily van den Broecke has been made an MBE for services to rowing.

The 20-year-old former Headington School pupil won gold in the mixed coxed four event at the London 2012 games and has been recognised for this in the New Year’s Honours List.

A postbox in Divinity Road has been painted gold in recognition of Miss van den Broecke’s achievement.

Her father, Floris van den Broecke, who lives in Hill Top Road, said: “I cannot say anything other than I am very proud of her.

“I wasn’t supposed to know but she told me she had received a letter from the Queen.”