A PAID force chaplain has been appointed by North Yorkshire Police for the first time in its history.

The Rev Stephen Fisher took up his new post today, a role he will perform alongside his other duties as parish vicar of the Otteringtons and the Thorntons - four villages close to the police headquarters at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton.

He recently left his position as vicar at St Peter's Church, in Redcar, and will now be offering a listening ear to both police officers and civilian members of the North Yorkshire force.

Mr Fisher, who is originally from Reading, is married with three children and has previously worked as an electrical engineer for the former Central Electricity Generating Board and ICI.

Chief Constable David Kenworthy said: "Sometimes having the impartial listening ear of a priest can be of great benefit to all members of staff, whether they are religious or not.

"It is a great step forward that we now have Mr Fisher on a paid basis and we welcome him to the force."