A NEW minister was welcomed when she was ordained at a special service.

The Rev Marta Sugar was inducted to the Darwen Group of United Reformed Churches at the chapel in Sandy Lane, Lower Darwen.

The Rev Peter Brain, moderator for the North Western Provincial Synod of the UR Church, was at the service, as were Mrs Sugar's husband, Tamas, himself a minister, and the Rev Stephen Poxon, chairman of the North Lancashire District of the Methodist Church.

The ordination came in the same weekend as nearby Lower Darwen Methodist Church closed due to dwindling worshippers. Its congregation will now be welcomed by the UR Church.