A former hospital anaesthetist has been appointed as the new priest in charge of Denholme, Harden and Wilsden.

The Rev Dr Roger Brooks, 56, will take up his new position this autumn. He is currently curate at St Mary's Church, Burley in Wharfedale.

Before his ordination two years ago, Rev Brooks was a consultant anaesthetist in charge of intensive care at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where he worked for 17 years.

He says: "I'm surprised but very pleased to be invited to be priest-in-charge of Denholme, Harden and Wilsden.

"I'm very much looking forward to going there and helping to increase the profile of the churches in their communities and building on the lay work which has already been very active in the parishes."

The Venerable Malcolm Grundy, Archdeacon of Craven, says: "Roger's past experience as a consultant in the NHS has given him experience which equips him well to develop collaborative working between the parishes of Harden and Wilsden, Denholme and Cullingworth.

"We look forward to him working with colleagues in this new area of ministry".

Roger is married to Mary, a Maxilla Facial Surgeon - a dentist who does oral surgery. They have two sons, Peter, 17, and Michael, 15.