RETIRED senior civil servant Richard Bayly from Milton Combe has been appointed as one of four new deputy lieutenants of Devon.

Mr Bayly, who has a long history of family links to Devon and Plymouth, has been given the role for his positive contribution to the county and the nation.

Following a career mainly based in London he returned to the South West to become director of the Government Office for the South West with a focus on promoting economic development. GOSW was abolished in 2011.

Mr Bayly was given an honorary doctorate by Plymouth University in 2010.

He currently sits on the board of the University College of St Mark and St John, the Exeter Cathedral Council, the Plymouth Culture Board, the Board of the Barbican Association, the Dean's Council for Plymouth University Business School and the Board of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry Foundation.

The office of the Lord Lieutenant dates from the reign of Henry VIII. Originally, one of their main duties was the responsibility for mustering local fighting forces, but today the office is that of the sovereign's personal representative.

Deputy lieutenants enforced watch at the beacons which were kept ready to give warning of invasion and were lit to spread news of the Armada's approach.

As the personal representative of the sovereign in the county, the Lord Lieutenant has numerous official and social obligations. If he is unable to carry out any of these he may request his Vice Lord Lieutenant or one of his deputy lieutenants to act for him.

The appointments have been made by Lord Lieutenant of Devon Eric Dancer, and have been approved by the Queen.

The other three deputy roles have gone to Patricia Southby-Tailyour, of Ermington, Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope, of Torquay and Brigadier Simon Young, of Saltash.