BREWERY boss James Arkell is to become the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.

The managing director of Swindon's famous family brewery, Arkell's, will take up the post for the municipal year 2004-5.

He today told of his pride at being selected for the role, which was held many years ago by his grandfather, Sir Noel Arkell.

The High Sheriff for each county is appointed by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

It was once a very important job, exercising the punishments handed down to law-breakers in their counties and escorting them to prison if necessary.

But it has long since become a traditional honorary appointment in the region, with no real powers.

The High Sheriff is now effectively the legal representative for the county, but Mr Arkell will be expected to put in the hours to fulfil his role, with numerous civic appointments due to be lined up.

Mr Arkell, 51, who is currently the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, said: "It's a great honour to be chosen.

"I was asked to do it because they were looking for someone to put the time in on behalf of the whole county and they must have felt I fitted the bill. In this day and age it is very much an honorary appointment, because the job of hauling people into prison is covered by the professionals."

He said he was looking forward to carrying out the role, but as yet has little idea of what it will entail.

He joked: "I guess it's a little like being the Sheriff of Nottingham, only in Wiltshire.

"I've got a horse, so they will just have to tell me where to go and what to do and I'll do it.

"If someone needs to be made to answer to the law, I'm your man."

Mr Arkell has been a director at the Victorian steam brewery in Stratton St Margaret since 1973.

He is now managing director and deputy chairman of the company and was in charge during its 150th anniversary celebrations in 1993.

During his time at the helm, the brewery has seen its most rapid expansion ever, taking over pubs as far afield as Oxford, Newbury and Ascot, bringing the total number of Arkell's pubs to 97.

The current High Sheriff of Wiltshire is business impresario, Sir Christopher Benson, whose career has included the chairmanship of the London Dockland Development Corporation, chairman of some of the UK's leading pharmaceutical, insurance and construction companies and president of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.