FRANCES Houghton said her place on the New Year Honours list came as a shock.

The 38-year-old, who hails from Wheatley, will be awarded an MBE (Order of the British Empire) for her services to rowing.

Having retired from the sport after the Rio Games in 2016, the three-time Olympic silver medallist has been adjusting to life in Cornwall.

So it came out of the blue when her 21-year career was recognised on the national stage.

“It was such a surprise, because I’ve been retired for a couple of years now,” said Houghton.

“When the envelope arrived it was a bit like ‘oh, what have I done wrong?’, but it was really nice.

“First of all, it’s the first time I’ve won an award without being completely exhausted at the finish.

“And it encompasses the whole 21 years that I’ve put into rowing, so that feels special to me.

“I never won an Olympic gold medal, so in some ways I didn’t quite get to where I wanted to, but it’s amazing that my career has been acknowledged to that level.”

Houghton started rowing while a pupil at the Dragon School, Oxford.

She went on to be crowned world champion in the quadruple scull on four occasions, as well as winning Olympic silver medals in 2004, 2008 and 2016.

Houghton, who now lives in Newquay, is also, alongside Katherine Grainger, the first British female rower to compete at five Games.