It is an ancient office dating back more than 1,000 years.

And Georgina Holloway has spoken of the 'real honour' to be appointed the new High Sheriff for Norfolk.

Mrs Holloway, 59, of Whissonsett, near Fakenham, will take up the office next April from Charles Barratt. She wrote her name into history on Friday at a glittering, tradition-packed nomination ceremony at London's High Court that has been taking place since before the Norman Conquest.

The role of high sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown and remains the sovereign's representative in the county.

Mrs Holloway's husband Charles has been the under-sheriff for about 16 years and she said she would be in 'safe hands' as he advises her during her year in office.

'I am very honoured and it means a huge amount to me. It is an opportunity to get involved in anything and everything in the county and it is such a unique position.'

Mrs Holloway is a 'Suffolk girl' but has lived in Norfolk for 31 years and has had a range of roles in the county including current president of the St John Ambulance in Norfolk, joint master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds from 2006 to this year and a non-executive director of King's Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals NHS Trust for seven years.

She has also done fund-raising for organisations including the church, Macmillan nurses, the Children's Hospice for the Eastern Region and St John Ambulance.