THE president of Haslemere Players, Hamish Donaldson has been made a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.

The role involves assisting the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Sarah Goad JP, with a variety of civic duties.

Mr Donaldson, who lives at Hill Road, is involved in a number of community events. He was nominated by Ms Goad, whom he met through their involvement in the same charities.

He is founder-chairman of the Surrey Churches' Preservation Trust and the Haslemere Trust, and Ms Goad is patron of both.

"It never crossed my mind to do something like this, but it is a great honour," said Mr Donaldson, 67.

"It will involve attending civic functions, and particularly if there is a function locally Sarah Goad cannot attend, I will be one of the candidates who may stand in for her."

Mr Donaldson will be one of several deputy lieutenants of Surrey, along with the former actress and High Sheriff of Surrey, Penelope Keith and Lady Baden Powell.

The office is unpaid and permanent until the age of retirement at 75.

The main purpose of the office, along with that of Lord Lieutenant, is to uphold the dignity of the crown, maintaining close links with the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and taking an interest in all aspects of life within the county, both voluntary and statutory.

From the earliest days, the Lord Lieutenant has been closely associated with the magistracy and today usually holds the office of Keeper of the Rolls.

After retiring from merchant banking 10 years ago, Mr Donaldson has become a familiar figure in the community through his involvement in charities and staging local events.

He hopes his new position will help his fundraising work with the Guildford DAC, another countywide charity he supports, which deals with planning permission for churches in the Guildford dioceses.

He is also at the helm of the Haslemere Festival, which he is organising with Don Stacey among others

The town's first arts festival will have 75 acts featuring local talent and experts as well as performances from inter nationally-renowned stars.

Mr Donaldson is no stranger to organising large-scale events, being behind some of the town's most high-profile and popular gatherings, including the millennium celebrations and the town's golden jubilee tea party.