A FORMER nurse has been installed as the vicar of three churches.

The Reverend Lynda Gough has taken charge of St Paul's Church, Whitworth Church and St John's Church, in Kirk Merrington.

"It will be a challenge running all three churches but one I'm really looking forward to," she said.

"This is a lovely place and the people have been so warm and open, I feel very welcome here already."

Having worked with homeless people and drug users at her last church in Hartlepool, one of Ms Gough's main aims is to reach all parts of the community.

She hopes to work with young people, in particular, to get involved in as many community activities as possible. Ms Gough, 48, worked as a nurse at Darlington Memorial Hospital for ten years before completing a theology degree at Durham University which led her to join the priesthood.

She said: "It took a few years to have the confidence to be ordained, but I really feel it is what God intended for me and I hope that through my position, I'll be able to offer support to the congregations and the wider community.

"The area has already rebuilt itself after the demise of coal-mining and faces difficult times as manufacturing industries decline, but I'm sure they will have the strength to deal with it. Hopefully I can help."