The new High Sheriff of Norfolk has been sworn in at a ceremony held at King's Lynn historical town hall.

Charles Watt will take up the traditional role from his predecessor James Bagge.

The 67-year-old, who lives in Stoke Holly Cross, said the focus of his year in the honorary role will be to promote the police and judicial services and organisations.

Mr Watt, who owned a serious of private businesses with headquarters in Norfolk, said: 'I am going to concentrate my energy on promoting the good and unsung work that is carried out by the police, the courts, the probation service, prisons and all the volunteer agencies that work with them.

'I want to turn over some stones and find the men and women who are doing things that we don't know about but which make Norfolk a safe and secure place to live.'

Mr Watt, a father and grandfather, moved to Norfolk with his family in 1953.

His father worked for the confectionary manufacturer Mackintosh's.

After leaving school, Mr Watt worked for Mackintosh's and in advertising in London.

From 1969 he spent four years in the United States obtaining a BSC in business administration in Boston. Here he met his American wife Cathy.

Mr Watt is the deputy chair of St Edmund's Society, a Norwich-based charity providing education and a possible future for 14 to 24-year-olds who have been excluded from public education.

'I want to work with charities and the justice service in continuing to try and ensure that children in this county get a good education, even when they have been excluded from school,' he said.

'It means men and women still have a chance of having a good life and not one that involves any of the judicial services.'

He added: 'I have lived here for many of my 60-odd years and this county has given me a wonderful life in every tiny way.

'I want to give something back and I am in the position to do so and I have the time and energy. I will go anywhere and say see anybody in Norfolk.'

Mr Bragge said the he has been 'hugely privileged' to have served the county as its High Sheriff.

He added: 'I have meet some wonderful people and there are many things to be proud of.'