A Hereford man has been sworn in as a recorder of the Wales and Chester Circuit.

John Philpotts, aged 48, whose mother, Mrs Margaret Philpotts lives at Burghill, Hereford, was sworn in at a ceremony on Monday by Judge Elgan Edwards, Honorary Recorder of Chester Crown Court. Mr Philpotts, married with two children, attended Hereford Cathedral School and taught at Aylestone School, Hereford, before moving to the King's School, Chester.

He then decided to study law and became a barrister in 1990.

Mr Philpotts lives at Rossett, near Wrexham, and has his chambers in Chester.