A businessman took up one of the oldest posts in North-East public life yesterday.

Tom Swan was sworn in as the 1,007th High Sheriff of County Durham in a ceremony presided over by resident Judge Denis Orde, at Durham Crown Court.

Mr Swan is the 58-year-old chairman of Thomas Swan chemical works in Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham. He becomes the Queen's representative, seeing to the needs of members of the judiciary visiting the county over the next 12 months.

Mr Swan, married with two sons and a daughter, lives at Bedburn, near Hamsterley, south-west Durham.

During his year as sheriff he will support the Crimebeat scheme, an initiative aimed at reducing offending in the community.

A once powerful position, allowing the holder to raise armies and collect taxes on behalf of the monarch, it is largely now a ceremonial post.