Peter Thorogood, 68, of Castle Street, was appointed to the position in a ceremony in April after having his name 'pricked' by the Queen earlier this year.

Mr Thorogood, pictured in traditional dress, joins a long line of High Sheriffs, a position which dates back to 1042 when Godric was the first High Sheriff appointed for the county.

The role, which is largely ceremonial, includes acting as the returning officer in the county for parliamentary elections, attending royal visits and representing the Sovereign on matters relating to the judiciary and law and order.

He was chosen by Francis Patrick Strain Phillips, who was High Sheriff in 2004/2005, and was added to the list of nominees, moving his way to the top of list to take up the position this year. Traditionally, the monarch then pricks the selected name with a silver bodkin.

He said: "A letter arrived which was coached in elegant and diplomatic language suggesting I undertake the role of High Sheriff and originally I thought it was for the wrong Peter.

"I talked about it with my wife and we decided we would be most honoured to undertake the role. You receive no award, but it is a privilege. It is a chance to pay back Buckinghamshire which has been very generous to me."

Born in Bristol in 1940, Mr Thorogood first came to Bucks in 1959 when his widowed mother bought a house in Great Horwood. He has lived in Buckingham with his wife, Leonie, whom he married in 1986, since 2001.
He has been a governor of Stowe School since 1989 and deputy chair of governors since 1995. He is a founder trustee of the Stowe House Preservation Trust.

He is a former farmer and agricultural consultant, and is involved with a number of charities including the Buckinghamshire Foundation and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

He has two children, Elizabeth and Tom, by his first wife Suzanne, who died in 1977, and three grandchildren.