A VICAR is quitting his job to try to help other churches become more "user friendly".

The Rev Simon Bessant, vicar of The Church of The Redeemer in Shadsworth since 1991, will take up his new post covering the whole Blackburn Diocese in March.

Mr Bessant, 41, will get to know what is happening in 250 parishes throughout Lancashire for his job as Director for Mission and Evangelism.

"My job is to support churches and parishes in doing what they are doing already and to help them to do it better," he said.

"It's also to make them more open to the community and more ready to face the challenges of the future."

He added: "It's very easy for the Church to cater for those who are already there. Part of my aim is to look at ways the Church can be more outward looking. "The death of Diana, Princess of Wales, showed that there are many people who have a strong sense of spiritual values.

"We must find ways to relate the Church to them and for them to relate to the Church."

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, said: "This new post reflects very much the renewed confidence in many Christian congregations across Lancashire as we seek to serve God together in our communities.

"Although this is a Church of England appointment, Simon will be working wherever possible with all the Christian churches, helping them to develop their enthusiasm for contacts and commitments across various boundaries, in this country and the developing world."

Mr Bessant, originally from Watford, is married to Ruth, the headteacher of St Aidan's Primary School in Blackburn. They have three daughters, Hannah, Catherine and Rachel.

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