NEW leaders - with a passion for magic tricks - are hoping to conjure up more support for the Salvation Army after taking over the running of the Kidderminster corps

Captain Ian and Major Rena Young replace Ian and Tracey Mountford who left for pastures new in March.

The couple have moved to Kidderminster with their three young children from Maldon in Essex, where they were Salvation Army ministers for three years.

Ian, who performs magic tricks during services, has been an officer in the church for the last 12 years and his 41-year-old wife for 17 years.

The 36-year-old former merchant banker said he and his family have settled in well to their new life, despite ongoing roof repairs at the Jerusalem Walk centre in Horsefair, and hope to expand the church's membership.

Their three children attend St John's First School.

"What we really want to do is stabilise things because, due to trouble with the building, it's been a bit hectic," he said.

"There were problems on Horsefair with some of the youngsters and things like that, so we're trying to build people up who are already there and build up their self-esteem."

The couple have described the Salvation Army building on Jerusalem Walk as "Kidderminster's best kept secret".

"The building we've got has been under utilised, so we're trying to ensure we use the resources we have to the full capacity - that will be our first priority," Ian said.

"We don't choose our appointments in the Salvation Army, but we did express to our headquarters that we wanted a set-up where our three young children would fit in and there would be a lot going on for them."

He said everyone they had met so far had been friendly and helpful and they were pleased with how everything had worked out.