THE Rev Ian Pearson has been appointed Priest in Charge of Worcester City Parish, which includes All Saints and Old Saint Martin churches.

Rev Pearson, aged 55, was formerly the rector of Bengeo in St Albans Diocese, which covers Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. He was ordained deacon in 1982 and priested the following year.

Mr Pearson first served as a non stipendiary priest in London, working as the archivist at the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel between 1977 and 1985 and then the National Society, a church education charity, from 1985 until 1991.

He moved to become a full time stipendiary priest and served a curacy in Chesterfield before becoming rector in Bengeo.

Excitement

"I was looking for a post that brought together my previous experience in cities and different types of parishes and part of the excitement of coming to Worcester is that the benefice will draw on my previous experience and also present new challenges and new opportunities," he said.

"I am going to spend time listening in my first few months and learning about what is going on in the church and community in the city."

Rev Pearson lists his interests as music and the theatre. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are looking forward to becoming involved in the arts in the city centre and in the benefice.

He is also interested in Christian Muslim relations.