A LAW firm has given up its right to the ancient post of Under Sheriff after more than 100 years.

Partners at Whitehead Monckton surprised High Sheriff of Kent Bobby Neame by telling him they would no longer accept the role traditionally bestowed on the Maidstone firm since the 19th century.

Every year since at least 1895, it has been customary for each High Sheriff to ask Whitehead Monckton to nominate a partner to the role of Under Sheriff. Next to the monarchy, the High Sheriff holds the most ancient secular office in the land. The Queen appoints a new High Sheriff every year.

The Under Sheriff has an elaborate uniform and a few ceremonial duties, mainly joining the High Sheriff in a procession of judges through Maidstone three times a year

The Under Sheriff's main role is to collect debts. More controversially, he can also be called on to evict squatters. The removal of road protestor Swampy was masterminded by an Under Sheriff.

When Swampy-like figures occupied Lyminge Forest in protest at plans - since abandoned - to build a holiday village, Roger Sykes, the present Under Sheriff, was on standby. But the squatters moved out before he was needed.

Whitehead Monckton's partners say that the role is no longer part of its "core business" and debt collection does not bring in the fees it once did.

They said that prestige and tradition were taken into consideration but in the end they felt the time had come to call it a day.

Richard Stogdon said: "We have been looking closely at all our operations over the last three or four years. The post of Under Sheriff was something we needed to look at in the context of all the rest of the things we were doing."

*Roger Sykes will stay on as Under Sheriff. He retires as a partner in Whitehead Monckton at the end of March and will continue his county role, which he has held for three years, from his home in Sissinghurst.

On April 4, Mr Sykes will become Under Sheriff to Charles Dawes, Bobby Neame's successor as High Sheriff.

Mr Sykes said he was sorry to see the High Sheriff's link with Whitehead Monckton being cut. "It's always sad when something that's been going on that long comes to an end," he said.

For 25 years, Sheriffs have relied on Les Mahoney, Whitehead Monckton's legal executive and clerk. That link will also end. Now Mr Sykes will be helped by his wife Sabrina.