FOUR new deputies have been appointed to support the Queen's representative in Herefordshire.

The Countess of Darnley, Susan Bligh, who is the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, has announced the appointment of four new deputy Lieutenants to assist with her role.

They are Tamsin Clive from Whitfield, Sue Furnival from Staplow, Colonel Andy Taylor from Hereford and Patrick Wrixon from Norton Canon.

The role of a Deputy Lieutenant is to support and promote the Lieutenancy in Herefordshire and to represent the Lord-Lieutenant in performing a range of public duties when required.

It is a voluntary role and deputies do not receive any remuneration for undertaking duties on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant.

Lady Darnley said:"I am delighted that these talented and public-spirited individuals have agreed to be appointed and I am confident that the county will benefit from the skills and experience each will bring to the role of Deputy Lieutenant."

Tamsin Clive is involved with county schools and charities, is a trustee of the Mappa Mundi Trust and chairman of the Queenswood (Arboretum) Coronation Fund.

Meanwhile, Sue Furnival is chairman of the Herefordshire Bench, a previous deputy bench chairman and family panel chairman and has held a number of other roles in the Herefordshire magistracy.

She has also been a supporter of various charities in the county and outside, including the Hereford branch of Friends of Samaritans.

Colonel Andy Taylor has had a distinguished military career and has been former commandant of the Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force. He is also the curator and a trustee of the Herefordshire Regimental Museum, with involvement in several armed services charities.

Finally, Patrick Wrixon is a successful farmer, who is involved in a number of local community groups and is Chairman of the Herefordshire National Farmers Union and President of the European Initiative for Sustainable Development in Agriculture.