NOEL Edmonds, star of TV and radio for more than 30 years, is to become the new president of the British Horse Society.
A riding enthusiast, Noel, who lives at Jacobstowe, has supported the BHS for many years and has now agreed to take that support to a higher level.
He and his wife, Helen, have four horse-enthusiast daughters, two of whom, Charlotte and Lorna, have regularly competed for Great Britain in international dressage.
The British Horse Society?s current president, the Princess Royal, steps down in June after five years in post, during which time the society saw the largest number of members since its formation in 1947.
BHS chairman, Mrs Pat Campbell, said: ?The Board of Trustees are extremely pleased to announce this news.
?Noel Edmonds has long had a keen interest in, and given his support to, equine matters.
?With Graham Cory as the new chief executive of the society, and Noel Edmonds as president, the future looks very exciting for the BHS.?
The British Horse Society is one of the UK?s largest and most influential horse charities ? working for every horse and rider.
It campaigns actively in the areas of horse welfare, horse and rider safety, access and rights of way and training and examinations, and strives to make horse riding accessible for everyone in the UK, and to ensure levels of teaching and riding establishments are of a high standard.