A WORCESTER church that has been without an Anglican vicar for a year has welcomed a new Reverend.

Rev Diane Cooksey was recently inducted into the role of vicar for St Nicholas Church, on St Nicholas Lane in Warndon Villages.

Rev Cooksey, who moved from her home in Blakedown, near Kidderminster, to take up the role said she is "looking forward" to being an active part of the community.

"I am excited and nervous. I've previously been training so this is the first time I've had a Parish of my own. My neighbours and everyone I've met have all been very welcoming," she said.

"I just want to get out there and be seen as much as I possibly can, just to let people know that I'm here."

Rev Cooksey previously spent ten years as a primary school teacher in Birmingham, which she says has prepared her well for her role.

"My former job has given me the communication skills that I can use in my role as vicar. It means I can work with families and children quite easily as well as with older people," she said.

"Over the next few months I'm going to be getting out and about to different community events, and just making sure people know they can talk to me about anything.

"When people see me out perhaps in the supermarket or the street, the fact that I'm wearing my collar can sometimes be a blessing or a barrier. Some people will come to me to talk because I'm wearing the collar, but other people will avoid me because they think I'm going to preach to them. But anyone is welcome to the church, whether they have faith or they don't. I just want to be a visible presence which can be hard sometimes. I think there are less and less clergy with bigger patches to cover, so it can be hard for them to be seen. I can't knock on everyone's door — I think there are 4,000 houses in my parish. But I'll do my best to let people know I'm here."

St Nicholas' Church has a remembrance service this Sunday, which begins at 10am.

At 11am respects will be paid to two men, Albert James Jones and Walter Palmer Phillips, from the Parish of Warndon who died fighting in the First World War.

To contact Rev Cooksey, call 01905 611268 or email diane_cooksey@hotmail.com.