DURHAM Cathedral’s new Sunderland-born Canon will be installed in her post this weekend.

The Reverend Charlie Allen will be officially installed in her post as Canon Chancellor at an Evensong service at 3pm on Saturday.

Rev Allen, who moves to the cathedral from a post in the diocese of Salisbury, will build on the legacy left by Canon Rosalind Brown who retired from the post earlier this year.

The Rev Allen said: “Durham Cathedral is a focus of prayer, gathering and mission for the North East and beyond. I am delighted to be joining the team here at such an exciting chapter in its life together.

"I look forward to contributing to its flourishing, and to serving the people of the diocese and region in the same spirit of joy and hope that St Cuthbert embraced so deeply.”

In her new role, the Canon's duties will centre on public engagement between the cathedral and the wider community.

She will lead on Christian stewardship, promote pilgrimage at the cathedral and promote public engagement.

Rev Allen grew up in Sunderland, with grandparents living within hearing distance of the Roker Roar, Sunderland AFC’s original ground.

While her family later moved to Yorkshire, she returned to the North East to study philosophy and theology at Durham University ahead of training for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge.

The Right Reverend Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham said: “I am delighted that Charlie is coming to join the excellent team at Durham Cathedral. She will bring fresh creativity and ideas to the abundance already in place. It will be a joy to have her deep rooted local love of the Northern Saints in the wider Diocesan life.”

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham, said: “Charlie’s return to the North East is a true home-coming. Her unbounded affinity for the region will be invaluable as she leads on the Cathedral’s external affairs and wider public engagement. Her rich experience of pastoral care and chaplaincy will bring depth to the nurturing of the Cathedral’s worshipping community and the Cathedral’s Christian stewardship.”