THE creator of the cult 1970s children's television show Tiswas has been installed as the new High Sheriff of the West Midlands.

Peter Tomlinson has lived in Worcesershire for the past 31 years. His new role is poles apart from the slapstick time he spent with Tiswas - the show where celebrities lined up to be doused with buckets of water or plastered with custard pies and which helped Chris Tarrant and Lenny Henry shoot to fame.

Mr Tomlinson, aged 64, who lives near Ombersley, was installed at the Queen Elizabeth II law courts in Birmingham, wearing the full ceremonial dress.

The office of high sheriff is at least 1,000 years old, with its roots in Saxon times. It originally held many of the powers and duties now undertaken by lord lieutenants, High Court judges, magistrates, local authorities, coroners and even the Inland Revenue.

The high sheriff is the Queen's representative in the county for everything relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

Mr Tomlinson said: "They had never had a high sheriff for the West Midlands who had a media background before. I think they wanted someone who understood the media a bit better."

His duties will include attending every royal visit to the area, attending functions as the Queen's representative, entertaining High Court judges when on circuit in the West Midlands - which means having judges to dinner at his home on about 25 occasions during the year - and sitting in court occasionally.

The post is unpaid and, apart for a nominal court attendance allowance, he has to cover the expenses out of his own pocket.

"I was enormously flattered and felt highly honoured and privileged and very nervous when I found out I was to be high sheriff. You do not enter into this lightly. It is a year in which you take your responsibilities seriously. There is a lot of time involved.

"I was approached three years ago and I considered the whole thing very carefully. It is a great honour.

"The West Midlands is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, shrievalties outside London."

Apart from his work in the media, including running Saga Radio, Mr Tomlinson has chaired the Cancer Research charity in Wyre Forest for 15 years, is chairman of the Mature Workforce Initiative and the Advantage Creative Fund, was vice-chairman of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and is involved with the Birmingham chamber.

He was previously communications, fund-raising and marketing executive for the Birmingham Children's Hospital and says hopes to promote the children's hospital during his term.

"Undoubtedly there will be a bit more in the media about me being a high sheriff because of my misspent youth in the media," he said.