A NEW High Sheriff for Wiltshire has been officially sworn in.

Peter Addington takes over from William Wyldbore-Smith as High Sheriff for Wiltshire and Swindon and will be responsible for a number of ceremonial duties during his year of office.

Mr Addington has been farming in the county for 45 years. He has been active in marketing organisations and is a past chairman of Wiltshire National Farmers Union. Recently he has been a trustee of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and regional welfare officer for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Association.

He said: “I am honoured and privileged to be the High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 2014. I am looking forward to the opportunities offered in the coming year, to meet many of those people who work, often behind the scenes, to make our country a better place.”

The role means representing the Queen in Wiltshire in matters of law and order and the judiciary. A High Sheriff’s duties include attending to any member of the royal family who visits the county, being returning officer at Parliamentary elections, ensuring the wellbeing and protection of High Court judges when they visit Wiltshire, and presenting court awards.

Mr Addington is married to Rosemary and they have four sons.