RAF chaplain, the Rev Ian Greenhalgh, has been named the new vicar of Clapham-with- Keasden and Austwick-with- Eldroth

Mr Greenhalgh, 54, has been a chaplain in the RAF for 20 years.

For the last two years he has held a senior post as Deputy Command Chaplain which took him all over the world to support colleagues and visit flying units.

Mr Greenhalgh has moved approximately every two years and visited most of the conflict areas the RAF has been involved in since 1990.

He has worked in NATO in The Netherlands, in Berlin - where he saw 'The Wall' come down - and on a fast jet unit with tornadoes. He has also worked with new recruits and as a hospital chaplain in a military hospital.

He said: "Clapham and Austwick will certainly be very different, but we are looking forward to a new challenge.

"It will be great to have continuity and to get to know the whole community.

"The people in the villages have already been incredibly friendly. I very much admire their honesty and hospitality."