REVEREND Richard Lee has described how he was left in a state of disbelief after being told he was to be the new High Sheriff of Cumbria.

Rev Lee, who is team rector at Egremont, is the first serving clergyman to be appointed high sheriff since the creation of the county of Cumbria in 1974.

He replaces outgoing high sheriff Sam Rayner, who is also founder of the kitchenware company Lakeland. Rev Lee officially took on the role during a ceremony at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday.

“When I took the call, I thought that I was being asked to be part of a service for the new high sheriff, not because I was taking on the role myself,” he told the News & Star .

“I feel very privileged to have been appointed to the role and I know that I’m following in the footsteps of some very distinguished names.”

In his role as clergyman, Rev Lee held a service in the aftermath of the Derrick Bird shootings and also in memory of PC Bill Barker, who lost his life in the 2009 Cockermouth floods. He said he is looking forward to meeting more people in communities across Cumbria in his role as high sheriff.

“There’s a lot of people out there who are doing such good work and sometimes they need to be told what a good job they’re doing,” he continued.

“I’m looking forward to meeting them and just letting them know how much the things they’re doing are appreciated by those around them.”

Mr Rayner said he has enjoyed “every minute” of being high sheriff over the past 12 months and insisted he could not pinpoint any one highlight.

“People often ask me and I can’t really choose,” he said. “I’ve met so many people and so many smaller groups and I’ve seen the great work that they’re doing.

“On top of that, the role also allowed me to see first hand the strength and courage shown in communities in Carlisle and other towns in Cumbria when the floods hit.”