THE Rev Tim Sledge has been appointed Romsey's new vicar.

He takes over from long-serving incumbent Canon Neil Crawford-Jones who retired in June.

A trained musician, Mr Sledge, pictured, is currently the diocesan mission enabler in the Peterborough Diocese, based in Northampton.

Born at Dronfield near Sheffield, he will be instituted at Romsey Abbey on Tuesday, April 22.

Explaining more about his current work in the Peterborough Diocese, he said: "I don't have my own parish at present. I work across 365 parishes advising and supporting churches helping them to present the Christian faith in attractive and different ways and encouraging those who aren't yet part of the church to explore the Christian faith for themselves.

"I am looking forward to being at the heart of Romsey Abbey and the town community."

Mr Sledge was ordained at Wakefield Cathedral in 1995 and his first church role was as curate at Huddersfield's St Thomas Church and assistant missioner for the Diocese of Wakefield.

He was then vicar of three churches in the Halifax area for five years until he took his current role.

The 43-year-old clergyman who is also getting married next summer added: "I am a musician by training. I am passionate about all types of music and poetry."