THE Rev Frances Wookey, curate of St James and All Saints, Gloucester, has been appointed Vicar of Hanley Castle, Hanley Swan and Welland.

She hopes to move into the area in late June and will be instituted by the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, on July 18.

Mrs Wookey was born in Devon and grew up in south Wales. She spent her teenage years in Bristol and has lived and worked in the Bristol/Cheltenham area all her adult life, beginning her career in the insurance industry.

She got to know Worcestershire while working for Lloyds Bank insurance services. After marrying in 1973, she moved with her husband to Cheltenham, where they ran their own business advising small businesses.

Whilst training for ordination, Mrs Wookey taught insurance and financial services at Gloscat. She was ordained deacon in 1997 and priest in 1998.

She said she was very excited about her new appointment.

"I've already met lots of people in the parishes who have been extremely friendly and welcoming. I see it as a tremendous privilege to move into such a beautiful area," said Mrs Wookey, whose interests include history, art, architecture, the countryside and conservation.