THE new priest-in-charge of St Clement's Church, St John's, is hoping to pack out the pews.

She faces the same challenge as many other vicars up and down the country - people are not as attending services as much as she would like to see - and she is determined to reverse the trend.

"We have young families who come. We have people attend from every age group. Mostly they are elderly but not all," she said.

Ms Bloomer, who will soon take over responsibility for the parish of Lower Broadheath, is also the new chaplain at University College Worcester, and hopes that some of the area's large student population will make their way over to the Henwick Road church.

"I hope as I build more relationships at UCW more students will attend.

"It is important that we make people feel welcome."

She said for her the church is about people and helping them.

Before her ordination, she had a career in nursing working in Britain and in Canada.

She was also a senior lecturer in nursing studies at North East Wales Institute of Higher Education.

On her move from nursing to the clergy, she said: "You don't just say 'I'm going to be a vicar'. It is something that you are called to be."

Ms Bloomer was ordained a deacon in 1997 and entered the priesthood the following year and served as a curate in Llangollen and Llantysilio in Wales and became Rector of Cilcain and Nannerch and Rhyd-y-mwyn in 2000.

"I enjoy parish ministry and working with young people and Worcester is a lovely part of the world."

"I'm still settling in but I think I am finding my way about.

"Everyone has been very helpful."