A CHURCH official has swapped East Africa for North Yorkshire to spend a week at a landmark cathedral.

Andrew Owino is a verger at St Stephen’s Cathedral in the Kenyan city of Nairobi but has left Africa behind for the week to learn more about the about the duties and responsibilities of the vergers at Ripon Cathedral.

Mr Owino began volunteering at St Stephen’s Cathedral when he left school, becoming head verger when the previous one retired.

He said he is enjoying his time at Ripon Cathedral, describing it as a ‘great place with a rich history’.

He added: “I like the building very much. I posted a picture of it online and my friends back home said ‘Wow!’

“They can’t imagine how lovely the structure actually is. I have found it a very prayerful place, with its several daily services and prayers throughout the day.”

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson said it is “a joy” to have Mr Owino with them.