A PUB landlord is to combine pulling pints with an altogether more spiritual calling.

Norman Atty, landlord of the Dog Inn, King Street, Whalley, has accepted a roving ministry with the Church of England, making him the only preaching publican in Lancashire.

First ordained at Blackburn Cathedral in 1965, the 64-year-old left the church in 1985 before taking up a career as a pub licensee.

But 20 years later he has again received the calling and has taken a limited ministry within the Blackburn Diocese.

Norman initially ended his church career in 1985 when, as honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, he split from his first wife to move back north to Lancashire.

Now married to Christine, 56, he has spent the last 14 years as landlord at the popular Whalley pub.

Norman, who has a grown-up daughter and two grandchildren, said: "It's 20 years since I was professionally involved in the church, but it has always been my home.

"I'm still in touch with former friends and parishioners from my time in Worcester and it is their requests that have prompted me to return.

"It's been said that 'once a priest, always a priest' and I believe that's true.

"People have asked about a connection between the church and running a pub and I think the answer is hospitality.

"The church at its best is eternally hospitable. When running a village pub you do get to know an enormous number of people, and that's similar in the church.

"You could say I'm like the inn-keeper in the Bible -- there will always be room at this inn."

Blackburn Diocese has given Norman permission to officiate as a minister within the diocese. This gives him licence to perform a number of ceremonies including weddings, funerals and baptisms. He is not assigned to a particular church or parish but can be called upon to perform ceremonies wherever needed.

Born in Wigan, Norman was ordained in Blackburn before serving at St Gilbert's Church.

He moved to Leicestershire in the early 1970s before becoming diocesan director of education in Worcester. He then resigned and left the church.

Norman added: "I left for personal reasons, but that was 20 years ago and time has passed.

"The church is an institution that should believe in forgiveness and I must thank Rev Chris Sterry, at Whalley Parish Church and Right Reverend Bishop Nicholas Reade, of Blackburn Diocese, for their immense kindness."

A spokesman for the Blackburn Diocese said: "The Christian church encourages reconciliation and hospitality -- ministries which Norman has been exercising in the Dog Inn for many years.

"He is believed to be unique in Lancashire in being both a landlord and a priest but historically landlords were one of four occupations which Anglican priests were also permitted to hold. The others were farmers, teachers and members of the insurance profession."

Norman is also a member of Whalley Chamber of Trade and was consort to the Ribble Valley Mayor councillor Joyce Holgate during 2002/3.

He is expected to perform his first ceremony in the next few weeks.