BROADWAY'S vicar, the Rev Terry Mason, is to be Rural Dean of Evesham.

He is to provide pastoral care throughout the deanery, which stretches from Broadway to Inkberrow. Within his patch are 19 churches, seven vicars and scores of lay preachers and assistant clergy.

Mr Mason, who has been appointed by the Bishop of Worcester, and will soon be licensed said: "It's a lovely role to pick up."

He added: "It's an exciting, changing time, and I am pleased to be part of it."

The 49-year-old year old vicar and his wife Norma will continue to live in Broadway. Mr Mason said he was looking forward to being invited to all the parishes and meeting the people at services.

He explained said the present 'exciting time' meant that although less people were coming into the church to be ordained more people were being involved in the parishes with many assistants clergy and lay preachers being taken on to become more involved.

Mr Mason spent about 16 years in the printing industry before becoming a vicar.

He has been ordained for ten years and was based Dartford, North Kent before taking up his post in Broadway.