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PEERAGE FOR SIR SANDY

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, former Leader of Kent County Council, is to become a working peer.

Paul Carter, who took over as Council Leader last October after Sir Sandy had served 8 years in the post said that he knew he spoke for many hundreds of the county's residents when he expressed his delight at the news.

"Sandy is an inspiration not just to those of us at County Hall who know him and work with him but to everyone who comes into contact with him. Whatever the issue, it receives his unstinting time, vision and commitment."

Sir Sandy, aged 63, farmed in Zimbabwe before settling in Kent nearly 40 years ago. He farms fruit at Headcorn and Egerton. He is married to Tess and the couple have three children.

Sir Sandy said: "I am deeply grateful to so many people in Kent who supported me throughout my time leading the county council and I am delighted now to have a new and national opportunity. I will serve to the very best of my ability, whatever way the House of Lords develops, and work to promote the interests of Kent and the values that so many of us share."

He was elected a County Councillor in 1989 and became Leader of the Conservative Group in 1993. He was Leader of the council from 1997 until October 2005.