A NEW vicar is due to hold their first service at their new town church this month.

Reverend Ben Jones will be taking his first Sunday service on September 19 at St Luke's Church in Hedge End.

Ordained as a Church of England minister since 2012, Reverend Jones has ministered at Folkestone and Croydon and comes to the area with his wife Victoria and their two children.

His style of ministry is said to be "both contemporary and informal" and his gifts and talents include "working with couples, young people and pastoral care".

In his previous church he was involved in working with vulnerable people in the community, including a winter shelter for the homeless, therapeutic influence of dogs to help adults with additional needs and he has also served as a Chaplain at Croydon College spending time with students.

A spokesperson for the church said: ". Ben comes to St Luke's with a wealth of experience and Hedge End will benefit so much from Ben's desire to see the community and church work together.

"With new housing and a new school opening, we believe the opportunities are abundant and now, to forge relationships with the local community and their needs.

"As a church we feel privileged to welcome Ben and his family to the Hedge End Parish."