NELSON vicar the Rev Stewart Hartley, has welcomed his appointment as an Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral as "an encouragement to his pioneering parish."

Mr Hartley, 52, who heads the new joint St Philip's and St John's parish, heads a team which reaches out into the communities.

On his appointment, he said: "I was very surprised and pleased, not so much for myself, but for the parish and the recognition of the pioneering work the churches are doing."

Married with a daughter, 16, he will be formally collated as an Honorary Canon at a date to be announced.

Nelson born, he moved to Accrington at an early age before studying for ordination in Nottingham. He was curate at Altham before becoming priest in charge of St Philip's. Nelson in 1984.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.