AN Exmoor woman has become high sheriff of Somerset after making her declaration of office at a choral evensong in Wells Cathedral.

Jennifer Duke from Luxborough takes on the role of high sheriff from Thomas Sheppard.

The ancient office of high sheriff is an independent, non-political, appointment and is the oldest uninterrupted secular office under the crown.

The high sheriff is appointed by the Queen as her representative in the county on all matters relating to law and order.

Jennifer has served as church warden of St Mary the Virgin in Luxborough for over 23 years, and supported her local community as a parish councillor and school governor.

Over the years, Jennifer has been an active committee member and fund raiser for many charities and more recently a trustee of Citizens Advice West Somerset and a governor of a group of five Exmoor schools.

Jennifer commented: “It was a great honour to make my declaration as high sheriff of Somerset at a beautiful service in Wells Cathedral.  In the year ahead, I look forward to supporting the work of the police, the judiciary, the probation service, and all the emergency services.

“Whilst I aim to support and encourage a wide variety of charities and voluntary organisations, I plan to focus on three critical areas for the county: promoting opportunities in education and training for children and young adults; working alongside charities which strive to prevent children becoming involved in, or being victims of crime, and addressing the issue of child food poverty and, at the same time, promoting local Somerset food and produce.”