A Norwich landlord, who will become the city's sheriff next month, has revealed he is going to use his civic role to help promote pubs.

Chris Higgins, landlord of the Trafford Arms pub, was unveiled as Norwich's latest sheriff following Norwich City Council's full council meeting earlier this month.

And the long-serving landlord said he will use the role, which he will take on from Evening News features editor Derek James, to give pubs in the city a timely boost.

Mr Higgins said: 'I'm hoping to act as an ambassador for the pub trade in general and hope to celebrate and raise awareness of pubs and the relationship between the community and the pub.

'I'm very honoured to have been asked to represent the people of Norwich in this civic capacity and it will be nice to act as a representative of the pub trade. We've got some of the best hostelries in this country in East Anglia and in Norfolk and Norwich in particular.'

Mr Higgins, who hails from Macclesfield but moved to Norwich in 1984 and describes Norwich as his adopted home, said the pub had a 'hugely important' role to play in the community.

He said: 'It's like a lot of things in life – you don't know what you've got until its gone. A lot of people use the pub as their sole means of interaction. If you take that away they can become isolated.'

The Norwich City season ticket holder said he was also keen to dispel myths that pubs cause anti-social behaviour in our streets by championing those landlords in the city whose professionalism and expertise ensures they are safe and well-run establishments.

Mr Higgins's view that the pub is central to the community fits in with the Evening News's Love Your Local campaign, which urges people to support their local pubs.

To find out about the campaign or to see more stories log on to www.eveningnews24.co.uk and click on campaigns and then Love Your Local.

Have you got a story about a local pub? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk.