THE Church of England has ordained new priests and deacons at Worcester Cathedral.

A total of 19 people were ordained during the first weekend of July to serve in parishes across the Diocese of Worcester.

Eight candidates were ordained deacon and they will now enter their first year of training as a curate.

A further 11 candidates have completed their year as deacons and were ordained as priests. They are now able to preside at Holy Communion.

The Bishop of Worcester the Rt Rev Dr John Inge presided at both of the ordinations. He was assisted by the Bishop of Dudley the Rt Rev David Walker, while the preacher was the Rev Canon Matthew Vernon, canon pastor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The Rev Sally Jones, curate in Teme Valley North, was one of the candidates ordained as a priest.

She said: “I have lived happily in the Teme Valley for 30 years and I very much look forward to continuing my ministry here in the years to come.”