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ALAN TITCHMARSH BECOMES ISLANDS HIGH SHERIFF

Celebrity gardener and chat show host Alan Titchmarsh will be formally appointed the Isle of Wight's High Sheriff today (Monday 7th April).

Mr Titchmarsh's main duties will be to support voluntary organisations here in all aspects of civil law and order. He'll also work with charities involved with young people.

The Office of High Sheriff is at least 1,000 years old having its roots in Saxon times before the Norman Conquest. It is the oldest continuous secular Office under the Crown.

Originally the Office held many of the powers now vested in Lord Lieutenants, High Court Judges, Magistrates, Local Authorities, Coroners and even the Inland Revenue.

Alan Titchmarsh said he's looking forward to the role. "I've had so much out of the Island I thought it would be good to put something back in. I think my main aim will be to fulfil my brief. I'm happy to do as much as I possibly can for the organisations on the Isle of Wight to raise their profile".

Come and meet Alan.....

The official launch of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival (3-18 May 2008) is on Saturday May 3 by Isle of Wight High Sheriff Alan Titchmarsh, at Newport Quay, 12.00 noon.

Another celebrity backer of the event is TV's Ben Fogle who is hosting a gala evening at Medina Theatre, Newport, the same day.

For further information visit www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk