A PAIR of Colchester borough residents have been appointed Deputy Lieutenants for Essex.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Hugh Toler MBE and Juliet Townsend have been honoured with the titles by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Essex Jennifer Tolhurst.

They are two of eight new appointments to the roles and will assist Mrs Tolhurst with her designated duties across the county.

Lt Col Toler spent the majority of his career as part of the Coldstream Guards where he helped manage the UK's defence exercise programme.

Between 2001 and 2005 he was based at Supreme HQ Allied Forces Europe and responsible for persuading NATO Allies and partners to provide forces for crisis response operations in the Balkans, Baltic, Middle East and Afghanistan.

He was also involved in the planning and execution of NATO operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, for which he received the MBE.

Mrs Townsend returned to her native county of Essex in 2011 after building a career at a London brand consultancy.

She has worked with youth club charity Essex Boys and Girls Clubs and now chairs Essex Women's Advisory Group, Chelmsford Ladies Circle and Colne Engaine Festival Committee.

The former Crisis volunteer founded Colne Engaine Ladies Facebook Group and she is also a member of Colne Engaine Dramatic Society and the Courtauld Memorial Hall Fundraising Committee.

Mrs Tolhurst said: "I am delighted to be able to make these appointments.

"The individuals concerned have made a great contribution to the county and fully deserve the recognition they have received.”