A BUSINESSWOMAN from Cirencester said she was "honoured" to be granted the role of deputy lord-lieutenant for Gloucestershire.

Dame Janet Trotter, Gloucestershire’s Lord-Lieutenant, has announced six new deputies, including shirt maker Emma Willis from Edgeworth, near Cirencester.

The position of Deputy Lord-Lieutenant is an honorary and voluntary one. Deputies support events and carry out duties across the county.

Emma Corfield, 51, also known as businesswoman Emma Willis, has designed bespoke shirts for soldiers, celebrities and members of the royal family.

The entrepreneur, who has a shop in London, said she was so excited to be made deputy lord-lieutenant.

"It was absolutely a huge honour and one I hope I will fulfil," said Emma, who this year was recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list for her services to entrepreneurship.

"Dame Janet is a woman I have huge respect for. I hope I can contribute something to the county in my manufacturing business and with the charity work I do in schools and colleges."

The six new deputies have all made considerable contributions either to national life or to their local communities.

Lord-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter said she was delighted to announce the six new deputies: “Their diverse backgrounds provide us with deep roots into the county and will help us to continue to serve it effectively in future," she said.

Dame Janet Trotter has been the Queen’s ceremonial representative for Gloucestershire since October 2010 and is responsible for a wide range of duties, including civic events.

The other six deputies, who have all made considerable contributions to national life or their communities, are chef Robert Rees from Stroud, former high sheriff of Gloucestershire Thomas Frost from Thornbury, rugby player Phil Vickery from Gloucester, chairman of GFirst LEP Diane Savory from Cheltenham and Air Marshal Sir David Walker from Bisley.