WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has welcomed the appointment of Lt Col Patrick Holcroft LVO, OBE, as The Queen's new Lord-Lieutenant for Worcestershire, which was announced on Friday, December 28.

Patrick Holcroft succeeds Michael Brinton as Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire following his sad death earlier this year.

Mr Holcroft was brought up in Worcestershire, and now lives near Tenbury Wells, with his wife and three sons. He has been a deputy lieutenant for the last three years and his wide experience as a former soldier and as a director/trustee of a number of companies, trusts and charities will assist him greatly in this appointment.

The Lord-Lieutenant's principal duties are to represent the Queen in Worcestershire, but his responsibilities will also include arranging visits for the royal family, presenting honours and awards, leading the local magistracy as Chairman of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace, supporting reserve forces and Cadets, as well encouraging charitable giving in the county.

Mr Holcroft said: “It is a privilege and an honour to take on this important role within the county and I look forward to working with the county council and other important bodies to help further the interests of Worcestershire in the coming years.

“I follow in the footsteps of an outstanding man, Michael Brinton, whose work has touched many different areas of life across the county.

“He and his wife, Angela, carried out their duties with integrity, commitment and good humour, and I, along with many others, would like to pay tribute to that.”