THE ancient office of High Sheriff of Cheshire has been taken by the chairman of Liverpool-based shipping company, the Bibby Line Group.

Simon Sherrard, 56, was installed yesterday and will hold the post for a year.

The father-of-four, educated at Eton, started his business career in 1968, and became managing director of the Bibby Line Group in 1984.

He retired from his executive post at Bibby in 2000, but remains chairman.

Mr Sherrard said: "The High Sheriff's role is not just ceremonial. Though honorary and unpaid, there is a real job of work to do.

"From my position of neutrality, I will be working to support the statutory agencies charged with dealing with crime and related issues to make our communities safer." He said his charity work would focus on young people during his year in office, including a charity cricket match featuring a celebrity team on June 13.

Mr Sherrard's interests include tennis, golf and breeding rare sheep. He is also president of the Bunbury Cricket Club in Cheshire.

The office of High Sheriffdates from 992.