EAST Lancashire’s leading protestant cleric said the North West was a fantastic place to live and work in a bid to attract more clergy to the region.

Bishop of Blackburn Julian Henderson made the comments as Blackburn Diocese joined forces with Liverpool and Manchester in a bid to highlight the region at a religious exhibition.

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The campaign is supported by a wide variety of senior clergy from all three dioceses is being led by Bishop Julian, who recently made the move north himself.

A campaign website has also been launched this week at www.cofenw.org.uk, which contains case studies of clergy who have made the move north as well as links to each diocese’s own website and current vacancies.

Bishop Julian said he and his wife, Heather, were loving life in East Lancashire.

He said: “My wife Heather and I came to the North West in response to a call from God through his church to serve both his people and the whole wider community in Lancashire.

“Since our arrival we have been welcomed by countless people across the region and have felt very welcome.

“It is a fabulous place to live and practice ministry and the opportunities to make a difference in ways that really matter and to grow his kingdom are numerous and exciting.”