THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the organisation behind the annual Great Yorkshire Show, has appointed a new president.

Farmer and landowner John Henderson has taken over from Peter Smith as the society's figurehead.

As president his role is to represent the organisation at key events, and chair committee meetings planning the next show.

One of his first public duties will be to attend the society's annual harvest thanksgiving service which takes place on October 6 at Ripon Cathedral.

Mr Henderson, who owns and manages a 1,800-acre estate near Skipton, said: "It was a wonderful surprise and a great honour.

"I am delighted to be the society's president, and applaud the work it has done in trying to help those who are facing a tough time in the rural economy, by helping them look to the future."

As a trustee of the Country Trust, which takes inner-city schoolchildren into the countryside, Mr Henderson is also keen to promote the society's education programme.

"One of my particular interests is in trying to bridge the gap between inner city and urban children and the countryside," he said.

"The society has always had an excellent education programme and I am particularly interested in all aspects of that."

Mr Henderson, who is married with one daughter, was involved nationally with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) for 15 years and remains on the Yorkshire Committee and the National Council.

He is chairman of the Rural Affairs Advisory Committee to the BBC and also of the Rights of Way Liaison Group, which advises the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.