ALL Saints Church in Bromsgrove was packed for a service to install the Rev Wendy Moore as the new vicar.

The service of Institution and Induction last Wednesday was conducted by the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, and the Archdeacon of Dudley, the Ven Fred Trethewey.

The Rural Dean, the Rev David Rogers, also took part, as did the Bishop's Chaplain, the Rev Michael Rogers, curate of St John's Church, Bromsgrove.

All Saint's patron, the vicar of St John's, the Rev Nigel Marns, formally presented Mrs Moore to the Bishop at the start of the service which contained ceremonial, legal as well as spiritual elements.

At one point the Archdeacon led Mrs Moore to the rear of the church to toll the bells as a symbol that the care of the parish had been entrusted to her by the Bishop and inform parishioners of the arrival of a new incumbent.

Later, symbolic gifts, were presented to her by church members .

Mrs Moore and her husband Keith were formally welcomed by representatives from various denominations, church leaders, religious and community groups, and by Cllr Mike Gill, chairman of Bromsgrove District Council.

Traditionally All Saints vicars are chaplains to the council.

The congregation included members of Mrs Moore's family, representatives from schools in the town and guests from Rotherham where she was a curate, at Laughton-en-le-Morthen in the Sheffield diocese where she was vicar, and from Essex, her home county.

Mrs Moore remarked on the warmth of the welcome she and her family had received during their short time in Bromsgrove and how she is looking forward to working in the community.