ACTRESS Penelope Keith has become only the third woman to be appointed High Sheriff of Surrey since this ancient office was created more than 1,000 years ago.

She is to be installed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Sarah Goad - the only person in the county who out-ranks her - during a ceremony at CountyHall, Kingston, which will also be attended by the outgoing High Sheriff,Bill Biddell, and chairman of Surrey County Council, Dr Brian Coffin.

Miss Keith, who has lived in Surrey for the last 24 years, takes over a role that is predated only by the monarchy. Once the most powerful figure in local governance, the High Sheriff now performs mainly judicial and ceremonial functions.

Penelope Keith's duties include receiving judges "with due ceremony" and she is responsible for the enforcement of civil writs in the High Court (via an under sheriff).

She is also the returning officer for parliamentary constituencies in thecounty, and may declare the result.

Penelope Keith has just completed a five-month run in Noël Coward's Star Quality at the Apollo Theatre in the West End.

She said: "I'm honoured to be chosen for this office and see it as anopportunity to make a contribution to the Surrey community. As High Sheriff, I hope that I can help to focus attention on some of themarvellous work that is being done in the county, particularly by volunteers."

Like her recent predecessors, she will continue during her year in office to support the High Sheriff's Awards for projects created by young people towards crime prevention.

She will also be involved in a new nationwide initiative by the Shrievalty Association - representing all the High Sheriffs of England and Wales - to pilot a new debt education programme,

called DebtCred.

In partnership with Credit Action, a leading money education charity, the association's aims are to prepare school leavers for university life or employment by teaching them money management skills, and to educate employers about dealing with any problems that their employees might face.

Although now mainly a judicial and ceremonial function, the shrievalty was the first form of local government. Today the High Sheriff ranks second in importance to the Lord-Lieutenant.

The High Sheriff is still concerned with his - or her - traditional role in the maintenance of law and order in the county.