NINETEEN people from diverse walks of life and all ages from 26 to 69 were ordained as priests and deacons in the Diocese of Durham at ceremonies staged at Durham Cathedral over the weekend.

Each one was called to ordained ministry after amassing a wealth of experience in a wide range of places and jobs and include everyone from a former Cabinet Office civil servant, a peer of the realm to an undertaker.

The Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Paul Butler, who performed the ordinations said: “God calls his people to follow Christ, and forms us into a royal priesthood, a holy nation, to declare the wonderful deeds of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

"To serve this royal priesthood, God has given a variety of ministries. Deacons are ordained do that the people of God may be better equipped to make Christ known.

"Priests are ordained to lead God’s people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the Gospel.”

He also thanked the families, friends and supporters of those ordained over the two days for their unfaltering sacrifices that allowed those being ordained to follow their calling.