THE church of St Peter in Shipton Bellinger was packed when the Bishop of Winchester licensed the Rev Ian Tomlinson as priest in charge and the Rev Brian Tims as assistant priest.

Members of the Roman Catholic community and Shipton Bellinger Christian Mission were present as well as parish councillors.

Paul Jarrett, a churchwarden with Jean Randall, said: "It was a real village welcome and members of the clergy from the Andover Deanery were also present."

Mr Tims has been appointed non stipendary priest for the village which now comes under the group of parishes administered by Mr Tom-linson. His appointment was made because Shipton with over 2,500 population, is larger in numbers than the total of those parishes.