CHURCH leaders have demonstrated their commitment to a Weardale village by appointing a rector.

The Reverend Malcolm Goodall has been priest-in- charge of St Mary's and St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, for the past four years.

In a ceremony in the village yesterday, he was made up to rector, continuing a tradition going back hundreds of years.

The church wardens decided they wanted a rector rather than a priest-in-charge, and the Parochial Church Council agreed.

Although the title is not technically a promotion - Mr Goodall will be doing the same job - it is viewed as making the position more permanent.

Mr Goodall said: "It is just a status thing, really. They have had a rector in Wolsingham since the 12th Century and I think they wanted to continue with that tradition.

"Church people always think that if they have got a priest-in-charge it has a temporary feel about it. I think that is why they have been fighting so hard to get this status of rector, so it feels more long-term.

"From my point of view I originally was not too bothered about it, but now I think it is giving out a sign that the church is alive and well. It is saying there's going to be a church in Wolsingham and it will continue to grow in Weardale. This is a positive move to show the church has no intention of pulling out of Weardale by giving me this status."