Despite the lack of special privileges, fancy robes or solemn pageantry that such a title would seem to require, Monty Trent, the newly-appointed President of the Association of Her Majesty's District Judges, is anticipating a memorable year of office for himself and his wife Roslyn.

He tells People: "We district judges - there are 420 of us in all - are very much local 'community' judges. We don't sit in the most glamorous courts, we don't make the headlines or send people to prison, but the judgements we make often affect ordinary people more profoundly than a prison sentence." A father and grandfather-of-three, he grew up in Southgate where his parents were founder members of Cockfosters and North Southgate United Synagogue. A successful London solicitor before being appointed a district judge 18 years ago, he moved to Welwyn Garden City in 1979. He is a leading figure in the local Jewish community.