THE vicar of Barbourne is leaving his job later this month - to join the police.

Rev Badger is to become the force chaplain for Thames Valley Police, making him one of only three full-time police chaplains in the country.

The 39-year-old father-of-two already has experience working with the emergency services. He spent two years as co-ordinating chaplain with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and five years in the same role with West Mercia Constabulary in Worcester and Kidderminster. Both were voluntary positions.

"I will miss Worcester and the people. I have become very much part of the community," said Mr Badger, who will perform his final service at St George's Church, in St George's Square, Barbourne, on Sunday.

"I will miss being a parish priest. The new role will be different to what I am doing now."

As well as supporting the spiritual needs of around 8,000 police staff, Mr Badger will be involved in setting up a fully multi-faith chaplaincy team to ensure support for officers of all faiths.

He said his first aim would be to get to know people on his patch.

"The first few months will be spent in the car going round and visiting police stations and staff and spending time out with police officers and meeting members of the community," he said.

"I think it is important to get to know the relationship that already exists."

Mr Badger, who is originally from Kidderminster, was ordained in 1996 after graduating from Queens College in Birmingham. He spent five years at St Stephen's Church, off Droitwich Road, before coming to St Georges Church, where he has been for almost four years.

Mr Badger said he would remain chairman of the successful Dragon Vehicle Project, based in Barbourne, which aims to reduce the number of young people in Worcester involved in vehicle crime by offering a practical course in driving and car mechanics.