A ROCKIN' reverend due to take up a new post as vicar in one of Burnley's poorest neighbourhoods has spoken of his hopes for his new parish.

The Rev Philip Chew will take up his position at St Stephen's, in Burnley Wood, on March 6.

The former rock band bassist and current curate at St Lawrence, Chorley, is well known for his enthusiastic evangelism, which he hopes can lead to a brighter future for the area.

As a 1980s rocker Mr Chew enjoyed limited success and toured the north-west with his band, Euro-K, but never broke into the big time.

Mr Chew said: "When you go to a parish you don't know what it is going to be like until you get there.

"You have a rough idea of what the population is and what the socio-economic situation is, but you only find out what an area is really like when you get there.

"Burnley Wood has got a reputation as a parish with a lovely school, committed church-goers and a good operatic and dramatic society. It also has an excellent Sunday school.

"I know there have been difficulties with rioting last year -- I suppose I will find out more about that when I get there."

During his time with the church, Mr Chew has worked in Birmingham. He firmly believes that his time in a multi-cultural parish in will help him fit into his new role.

"I understand how to work in a multi-cultural environment, although the situation is slightly different in Burnley.

"I think the best way to describe it is as bi-polar, but I am hoping to bolster relationships between Muslim and Christian churches.

"I will get to know Muslim faith leaders, but I think that a lot of the problems were about poverty and not necessarily faith."

Mr Chew believes it important that faith leaders have a say in local government and, as a former chaplain to the leader of Chorley Council, he has experience of doing so.

"We have go to give hope. Burnley Wood needs to be rejuvenated. The clergy can have an input as to what is going on.

"Change isn't going to happen overnight. I have to get to know people in local government and see if I can help in any way."

And as a former printer who served his apprenticeship at a factory in Trafalgar Street which has since shut down, Mr Chew has more than a passing interest in the local economy.

"During my apprenticeship in the 1980s, Burnley was still quite prosperous. A lot of industry has now left the town, which is a big problem.

"A lot of Burnley's major employers have now gone and although it is not up to me to attract new business to the town, it would be nice to see some coming in during my time there."

Parishioner Ann Brade-Smith, who is also secretary of Burnley Wood Community Group, said: "We look forward to welcoming Mr Chew to the area.

"We have a recording studio at the One Stop Shop which he might like to make use of and I hope he will be interested in getting involved with the activities at the centre and the planned festival we will be having in June.

"I think he sounds like just what this area needs."

Blackburn-based Euro-K toured throughout the North West in the early 80s and were great friends with other Blackburn almost-famous rockers The Stiffs.