A COMMUNITY radio presenter has joined an elite band of brothers after being sworn in as a Deputy Marshal of Dodge City.

Sam Harris has had a memorable start to the years after the CVFM Radio presenter was also given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

The 82-year-old is the host of the Big Band, Crooners and Jazz show every Thursday and CVFM Country every Saturday and it was during his country show that he came to interview Marshal Allen Bailey from Dodge City, Kansas.

The Middlesbrough-based radio presenter regularly interviews country music artists and other personalities in America and other parts of Europe and has a big following for this across the pond, where the programme is rebroadcast on an American radio station.

Whilst congratulating Mr Harris for his MBE, awarded for services to sea angling, Marshal Bailey surprised him by also appointing him as the Deputy Marshal of Dodge City, during the live Skype interview.

And so with his right hand raised in the studio of the Victoria Road station in central Middlesbrough, he took the oath and was appointment to his new ceremonial position.

He said: “When I received the news that I was on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list and was to be awarded an MBE, I was totally humbled and a little surprised to be honest, however being appointed the Deputy Marshal live on CVFM radio was a total shock.

“I have had people from all over the world, literally getting in touch to congratulate me, with some puns and jokes about being the Deputy Marshal.

“I am ever so grateful to have this wonderful opportunity, playing and sharing music which I love and talking to interesting people from around the world right from the heart from Middlesbrough, thanks to the wonder of modern technology.”

Mr Harris, of Old Shotton Village, has many years’ experience in the sea angling world where he has headed committees and organised many competitions within the sport.

He is now part of the Silver Jockeys team, a lottery funded project which supports senior citizens to play an active part in the community through media and broadcasting which is hosted the community radio station.

Idrees Rashid, Director of CVFM Radio, said: “I’m not sure what his role as the Deputy Marshal of Dodge City will entail but I can envisage him playing the part well.”

You can hear Sam Harris live on CVFM Country every Saturday noon-2pm on 104.5FM in Middlesbrough and surrounding area, online via www.cvfm.org.uk and also via TuneIn mobile App.