THE REV. Clare Sykes, of St Peter's Church in Bromyard, has been appointed rural dean for the area.

Mrs Sykes is only the second woman to be made a rural dean in the 1,300-year history of the Hereford Diocese.

She will take over the Bromyard Deanery, an area covering 25 churches in and around the town.

Mrs Sykes is currently a part-time assistant priest at St Peter's Church and also chaplain at Bromyard Community Hospital.

"I'm really pleased to have been appointed Rural Dean in this area," said Mrs Sykes. "It's ten years since the ordination of women and it's good that we're being appointed to these key leadership roles."

She said women brought a new perspective to leadership in the 21st Century.

Mrs Sykes is married to Graham Sykes, the vicar of Bromyard, and has two young daughters. They are one of a small number of clergy couples in the diocese.

Rural deans are appointed by the Bishop of Hereford to act as channels of communication between parishes.

The Bishop, The Rt Rev. Anthony Priddis said: "It's great to see another woman taking a leading role. It shows that gender is no longer an issue in the diocese."