A new High Sheriff of Powys was sworn into the prestigious role at a declaration ceremony held in Llanfair Caereinion.

David Lloyd Peate, of Llanfair Caereinion, was installed as the High Sheriff of Powys at St Mary’s Church.

The ceremony was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Powys, Mrs Tia Jones, and the signing of the declaration was witnessed by Mr N Powell JP in the presence of the Right Honourable Lord Lloyd Jones, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, who read the Warrant of Appointment from Her Majesty The Queen.

Mr Peate appointed the Rev Yaqoob Khushi, Vicar of St Mary’s Church, as his Chaplain and Mr Philip Evans as his Under Sheriff.

The role of high sheriff dates back more than 1,000 years and has evolved over time but is now largely ceremonial. Key duties include acting as the returning officer in parliamentary elections, supporting the Crown and Judiciary, emergency services and the voluntary sector. The selection of a high sheriff is made annually and the post is unpaid.

The new High Sheriff of Powys is a retired magistrate and a former chairman of the Montgomeryshire Bench. Mr Peate was a primary school headteacher and a chief executive of Mid Wales Tourism. He currently holds the role of vice-chairman at the Powysland Club.

At the declaration ceremony, Mr Peate announced that he wishes to highlight the work done by Newtown-based Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre and the Wales Air Ambulance Service during his year in office.

In accepting the appointment, Mr Peate said: “I feel both honoured and very humbled. It is a role which I have accepted with great pride and do not underestimate the task ahead of me.

He added: “I shall do my utmost to fulfil the responsibility which I have been asked to undertake and will execute all my duties and more to the best of my ability.’’

Mr Peate takes over from the outgoing High Sheriff, Cllr David Price, of Llanddewi’r Cwm, near Builth Wells.