ROSSENDALE is to get its first female vicar when Wendy Oliver takes over the helm of the joint benefices of St Mary and All Saints Church, Goodshaw, and St John's Crawshawbooth in October.

For the past year the curate of the parishes the Rev Eric Lomax has been in charge of both churches, but this week he announced the appointment to both congregations.

He said: "Wendy is from Lancashire and currently serves at Christ Church, Walmersley. She was ordained in 1996 after training at Oak Hill Theological College.

"I have known her for some time and I am looking forward working with her. There are two services in the churches on a Sunday and it would be quite nice to do one each."

But Mr Lomax may not be at the joint benefice for much longer because he is applying for posts in the York diocese.

He said: "My wife Lesley comes from Redcar so we are moving a little nearer to her home."

The couple have two children Anna, seven, and five-year-old Matthew.

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