A new priest has been licensed to serve in villages surrounding Wisbech St Mary.

The Reverend Ryk Parkinson was licensed as priest in charge of the parishes of Wisbech St Mary with Guyhirn and Rings End, Gorefield and Southea with Murrow and Parson Drove.

He said: “I am delighted to be continuing my ministry to the people of these villages in my new role as their Priest in Charge.”

In a service at Emmanuel Church, Parson Drove, the Bishop of Huntingdon, the Right Reverend Doctor David Thomson licensed Reverend Ryk in a service with a church full of parish members, local clergy and friends.

The service was followed by the traditional afternoon tea and cakes which had been baked by members of the congregations.

Reverend Ryk was ordained in 2007 after careers in the army and as a college lecturer.

For the last six years he has been the associate priest in the three parishes.