THE new High Sheriff of North Yorkshire will put rehabilitation of addicts and the town of Selby at the heart of his work in office.

Several former High Sheriffs, including the Vice Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Peter Scrope, attended the ceremony at York Crown Court to see the swearing-in of Charlie Forbes Adam, of Skipwith, near Selby. Also present was the new High Sheriff’s father, Nigel, who held the 1,000-year-old office in 1976.

The new High Sheriff has been chairman of the Yorkshire fund-raising committee of the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust for five years and also manages Escrick Park Estate, near Selby.

He succeeds Tom Ramsden, of Ripon, who during his year in office set up the Arts For Change Fund, which supports York and North Yorkshire organisations that help the elderly, lonely people and those with mental health problems or physical disabilities.

Mr Forbes Adam said: “It is a great honour to follow in my father’s footsteps. I remember his year as High Sheriff very well and I am both privileged and humbled to be able to continue our family’s tradition of public service.

“My primary aim during my year as High Sheriff is to raise awareness of the link between crime and addiction to drink and drugs.

“The High Sheriff is traditionally responsible for maintaining law and order on behalf of the monarch, so I feel this is an appropriate and timely objective.”

He also pledged to raise Selby’s profile.

The ceremony was the last presided over by the Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, whose eight years in office will end later this year. He will continue to be a judge.

He told the outgoing High Sheriff of the Arts For Change Fund: “It is a fantastic and worthwhile venture and you should be proud of it.”

Mr Ramsden thanked all who helped him set up the fund and supported him during his year in office.

The swearing-in was witnessed by former High Sheriff Francesca Horsfield, who held the post in 2012. She retires as a York magistrate after 25 years on Monday.