ONE of East Lancashire’s most high-profile businessmen has been chosen as the county’s next High Sheriff.

Dennis Mendoros, managing director of Pendle aerospace firm Euravia, will be officially sworn into the ceremonial role next month.

Mr Mendoros, who also chairs the publicly-funded Regenerate East Lancashire board, said he was 'grateful and delighted' to take on the role.

The 1,000-year-old High Sheriff honour is bestowed on Lancashire each year by the Queen in her right as the Duke of Lancaster.

Mr Mendoros said: “I am grateful and delighted to receive the honour of being appointed the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

“For more than 20 years I have actively supported many initiatives and I believe that my High Sheriff’s duties will act as a catalyst for bringing together people of different backgrounds, ages and cultures.

“I am committed to continuing the excellent work of my predecessors and looking forward enormously to a constructive, fruitful and successful term in office.”

Mr Mendoros replaces Caroline Reynolds, from Carnforth, in the role, which has been held previously by luminaries including Sir John Thursby and former England footballer Jimmy Armfield.

He will be formally sworn-in during a ceremony at County Hall in Preston on April 20 and will continue to run Kebrook-based Euravia throughout his year-long term.

Mr Mendoros was born in the Sudan, North Africa, and grew up in Greece.

However, he moved to East Lancashire in the late 1980s to set up Euravia after learning of the region’s rich aerospace heritage.

Since then, he has been involved with numerous public bodies including the North West Development Agency and the North West Aerospace Alliance.

He was awarded the OBE in 2001 for services to industry and was earlier this year named chair of Regenerate Pennine Lancashire.