Champion cheesemaker Charles Martell has become the new High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.

Mr Martell was appointed at an official ceremony at Gloucester Cathedral on Saturday.

The ceremonial role began in Saxon times when the Shire Reeve carried out the king's bidding maintain law and order and collecting those all-important taxes.

Based in Dymock, Charles Martell has been a passionate defender of the good things of Gloucestershire. He has worked to support traditional breeds of farm livestock and saved varieties of local fruit trees.

His initial concern was the survival of the Old Gloucester cow, the cheesemaking breed of Gloucestershire which numbered some 68 head only in 1972. He has also spent many years searching for and preserving indigenous varieties of Gloucestershire apple, pear, plum, nut and vegetable.

Mr Martell, who is probably best known for producing his famous Stinking Bishop cheese, has also written three books on Gloucestershire Pears (including all known perry pears), Gloucestershire Apples and Gloucestershire Plums.

Pictures: Paul Nicholls Photography.