A LONG-SERVING Dovercourt teacher and youth group founder has been named a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex.

Nigel Spencer retired from All Saints Primary School, in Dovercourt in December after more than 40 years in the profession.

He also founded the Christian youth group Ramsey Crusaders with wife Therese and vicar Stephen Northfield in 1990, which still runs today.

In 2014 he was appointed an MBE and has now been chosen as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex.

Mr Spencer, a dad of seven, said: “I am delighted to announce that I have accepted the invitation from the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, to become a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the county of Essex.

“This is an unexpected honour and means I can continue to serve the people of north Essex through their day to day activities, but now in a more formal context as an official representative of the lieutenancy and the Queen.”

Deputy lieutenants are commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State that the Queen does not disapprove of the appointment.

The function of deputy lieutenant is to assist in the performance of any public duty performed by the Lord Lieutenant.

Mr Spencer added: “The primary focus of my Deputy Lord Lieutenancy term of office will be to salute the successes and recognise the challenges experienced by young people in Essex, as they develop in a multi-cultural 21st century UK.

“Also to credit the voluntary role that many adults play within the community and to acknowledge publicly our collective indebtedness for their selflessness.

“My immediate task, however, once formalities have been completed, is to understand the protocols and procedures that are involved, and then to look forward to actively engaging in the role of Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the county of Essex.”

The office of Lord Lieutenant is of military origin and dates back to the time of Henry VIII for local defence.

Lord lieutenants are the Queen’s personal representatives in a county or area - their prime duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown.

Jennifer Tolhurst, a current deputy lieutenant, is set to take over from Lord Petre – who will stand down on August 4 after turning 75 – the obligatory retirement age for the sovereign’s representatives.