Retired geography teacher Ray Roberts may never feature in the British honours list – but since last Thursday he is a Knight of the Order of the Finnish Lion.

Mr Roberts received his award from Finnish ambassador Pekka Huhtaniemi at his residence in Kensington Palace Gardens, London, last Thursday.

Also at the reception were Tony Duck, chairman of the Devizes-Tornio Friendship Association, town councillors Peter and Sue Evans and town clerk Sarah Todhunter.

Mr Roberts, a former member of staff at Devizes School, has been involved in the association since its inception in 1989 and has travelled frequently to Devizes’ Finnish twin town to lecture and teach.

Raimo Ronkainen, the mayor of Tornio, made the trip to London for the reception.

He told Mr Roberts: “The work you have done in schools in Tornio has been invaluable.

“Your teaching of young beginners in the English language and helping older students to gain more skills has been a very important contribution.

“You have taught with heart and passion everyone from carpenters and electricians to waiters in the vocational school.

“Students in the polytechnic have had the opportunity to enjoy your teaching, as did many adults in various organisations, companies and schools.”

Mr Roberts, who is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer, said he was overwhelmed by the honour.

He told the Gazette: “When the Finnish ambassador phoned up and told me that I was to receive this award, I couldn’t believe it.

“There is that old hymn, ‘to labour and not to ask any reward’ and I never expected anything like this.

“The Devizes-Tornio link is probably the most active Anglo-Finnish link with so many activities going on. When guests from Tornio come over to visit, Sarah Todhunter and her staff at the town hall make sure they are well looked after.”

The link between Tornio and Devizes started because both towns host a classic canoe race.

Devizes is the starting point for the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster canoe race, while Tornio marks the end of the Arctic canoe race.

For the past few years Mr Roberts played Father Christmas during the Devizes Christmas Festival, greeting children at the Wharf before switching on the lights in the Market Place.

This year ill health preventing him from climbing out onto the balcony of the Bear Hotel to throw the switch.