SHOBROOKE farmer John Lee OBE has been sworn in as the new High Sheriff of Devon.

The ceremony, held at St Swithun's Church, Shobrooke, was presided over by the Right Honourable Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lord Justice of Appeal, who witnessed the declaration, together with Mrs Judith Kauntze, chairman of the North and East Devon Magistrates' Association.

Mr Lee is chairman of the Council of the Devon Agricultural Association, organisers of the annual Devon County Show and of the South West Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.

He has been an active member of the Young Farmers' movement, was chairman of Bicton College, is a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and is also a board member with Mole Avon Trading Ltd.

He is a beef and cereal producer at Coombe Barton Farm, Shobrooke and was awarded the OBE for services to the rural economy in 2011.

He is a past chairman of the parish council and is treasurer of the Friends of Shobrooke Church.

In 2011 he was awarded a Fellowship from the Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS).

The office of the High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the country. The earliest known Sheriff of Devon was Richard, son of Baldwin, who was appointed in 1086.

Among the guests at the ceremony was Eric Dancer, the Lord Lieutenant of Devon; Shaun Sawyer, the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall; Lee Howell, chief fire officer, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service; Jerry Brook, chairman, Devon County Council; Brenda Hull, chairman, Mid Devon District Council; Rob Newby, Lord Mayor of Exeter and many other dignitaries.

Alan Bennett of Exeter School gave the fanfare at the service.

Simon Barnett was appointed Under Sheriff of Devon, Preb Nigel Guthrie as Chaplain to the High Sheriff and Alex Hancock as the High Sheriff's Cadet.

Mr Lee succeeds Robin Patrick Barlow DL as High Sheriff of Devon for the next 12 months.

Mr Lee said: "I consider it a privilege to have been appointed as High Sheriff of Devon, and am very much looking forward to the year during which I can support and encourage worthwhile causes in the community, in particular those supported by The Devon Community Foundation and Devon Crimebeat."

Alan Quick