A MAN who can claim to be a genuine "high flyer" has been appointed as North Yorkshire's new High Sheriff.

History was made at York Crown Court when Air Commodore Simon Bostock became the first military man to hold the position in the county.

The retired RAF staff officer immediately pledged to continue his predecessor Mark Evans' work with the nationally-acclaimed North Yorkshire and Cleveland Crime Beats, which teach children about dangers and how to avoid them. Both are among the top six such schemes in the country. He will also devote time to supporting the development of Ripon Cathedral.

Air Commodore Bostock is following a family tradition. His father, Godfrey Bostock, who was present at the ceremony in Courtroom One, was once High Sheriff of Staffordshire, as were his grandfather, uncle and brother.

For the next year, the air commodore from Pateley Bridge, near Ripon, who still flies as a volunteer from RAF Church Fenton, will represent the Queen in law and order matters in North Yorkshire.

He hopes to use his military qualities of organisation, sense of duty and service and understanding of ceremony and occasion during his time in office.

During the ceremony, the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman revealed that Mr Evans had used his influence with the Home Office during his term of office to reduce the problem of prisoners arriving late at court.

Updated: 09:43 Saturday, April 12, 2003