FORMER Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell has been appointed the next Lord-Lieutenant for Dorset and will take over the role at the end of the month.

Mr Campbell has been appointed to the prestigious role by the Queen and will succeed Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers when she retires on January 22.

He said: “It is extremely humbling to have been honoured with the responsibility of representing Her Majesty the Queen in this wonderful county.

“Dorset and its people are remarkable in so many ways and I am very much looking forward to working across the county within this very special role.

“I am very aware of the tremendous work that has been done by Mrs Valerie Pitt-Rivers over recent years and it is such an honour to be chosen to succeed her.”

Mr Campbell has been both leader of North Dorset district council and Dorset County Council, standing down from the latter last year.

He was also chair of both the Dorset Olympic Board and Strategic Leaders Board for the South West and has also been a governor of several schools in the county.

He lives in Iwerne Minster with his wife Carola and has two daughters.

The title of Lord-Lieutenant is given to the British monarch’s representatives in the UK.

It is usually bestowed to a senior military officer, peer or businessperson.

There are 98 Lord-Lieutenants in Britain.

They are responsible for the organisation of all official Royal visits to their county, as well as presenting certain awards and ensuring the Queen’s private office is kept informed about local issues relating to their area.