EXPLORER David Hempleman-Adams has become the new High Sheriff of Wiltshire just a fortnight before setting-off on what is possibly his final expedition to the South Pole.

Mr Hempleman-Adams, 59, who lives in Box and works at his family's firm in Swindon, was officially nominated in a ceremony on Thursday at London’s Royal Courts of Justice to take up the office in April.

He and 50 other prospective High Sheriffs from all over England and Wales to have their nominations approved by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas and three other judges in an ancient ceremony.

Mr Hempleman-Adams said: "I think it will be a huge honour. This will be the first time I spend nearly a year in this country. It will be great to get a rest.

"It is a very traditional post for one year only. You are not taking it as an individual but you will be meeting different charities and schools, just getting around and hopefully doing good work."

This honour came just weeks before his Endurance South Pole 100 Expedition, leaving on November 25, in which a team will complete 100 miles of the route to the South Pole that Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton took 100 years ago.

The High Sheriff is a ceremonial officer for each county of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is nominated by the previous sheriff.

The purpose of his latest expedition is to raise funds to create a digital archive of historical records from the Shackleton expedition.

The archive will be held at the Scott Polar Research Institute, in Cambridge, and will contain previously unpublished scientific data.

Mr Hempleman-Adams added: "I have done these expeditions before but I am getting a little too old to do this. I said I would go down as long as they carried me.

"There is 15 of us all together and we will happily be back for Christmas, by December 16. I am going with a couple of relatives.

"It is always nice going. I love going down and seeing the beauty of the place. I realise, however, that my body is getting older and the recovery time takes a lot longer.

"I'll be happy to take a year out and spend time in Wiltshire. Wiltshire is one of the most beautiful counties in the country."

Before Mr Hempleman-Adams and the other sheriffs nominated take up office next March they will take part in a second ceremony in March in front of the Queen. She will prick their names on a parchment list to give their appointments the royal seal of approval.