The Rev Clive Kirke will be installed as the new vicar at the church of St John the Evangelist, Ingrow-cum-Hain-worth at a special service next Wednesday.

Having left school at 15 with no qualifications he says he comes from a working background and it took six years to convince people in the church system that he had been called to the ordained ministry.

Nottingham-born Mr Kirke, 47, worked in electrical, mech-anical and general maintenance engineering before beginning his ministerial training in Cambridge aged 30. "I am still learning a tremendous amount," he says, admitting that he is more comfortable in a backyard full of bicycle bits than in a manicured garden.

He says: "I like a laugh, I like people and I hope I am friendly and approachable."

Mr Kirke, who is married to Rachel and has sons Edward, 17, Alex, 16, and Richard, 14, served as a curate in Ainsdale, near Southport and at Crosby, in the Liverpool Diocese before becoming priest-in-charge at St Andrew's, Litherland, Liver-pool.

He says he thinks St John's is a place where there is a living faith which he is happy to promote. He says he also hopes to be a good pastor and teacher for the community.

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