FORMER MP for North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat Lord Paul Tyler, has been appointed to the Privy Council.

The appointment is usually connected to a ministerial career but is exceptionally awarded to those with a long commitment to parliamentary service.

The Privy Council, also known as Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, is a formal body of advisors to the sovereign.

Although its policy decisions are now exclusively in the hands of one of its committees, the Cabinet, made up of the Prime Minister and 22 senior ministers. The Privy Council can advise on Royal Charters, which are used to grant special status to institutions, such as city or borough.

Paul Tyler was first elected as an MP in February 1974 for the former Bodmin consituency but lost the seat in the general election of October that year.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.