New Archdeacon of Blackburn announced

Rev Jane Atkinson is currently a vicar of St John's Little Thornton,

A "lively" vicar with a "rich sense of humour" has been chosen to serve Church of England parishes across Lancashire as the next Archdeacon of Blackburn.

Rev Jane Atkinson, who is currently area dean of Poulton and vicar of St John's Little Thornton, will take up the role in November, succeeding the Venerable Mark Ireland who retired in April.

She will be one of two Archdeacons in the Diocese of Blackburn, alongside the Venerable David Picken, who is the current Archdeacon of Lancaster.

She said she was delighted to take up the "vital role", which includes responsibility for buildings and the welfare of clergy and their families.

Rev Atkinson said she understood "the unique challenges and pressures of ministry life in our parishes and have been fully supportive of the work the Diocese has done in the past 10 years".

Right Reverend Philip North, the Bishop of Blackburn, said she "brings to the role a lively and life-changing faith in Jesus Christ which she longs to share with others, together with a rich sense of humour".

The Church of England in Lancashire is split into two archdeaconries - the Archdeaconry of Blackburn, which covers the south of the region, and the Archdeaconry of Lancaster in the north.

Each is sub-divided further into deaneries, and Rev Atkinson will work closely with churches from the deaneries in Accrington, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Leyland, Pendle and Whalley.

The Venerable David Picken, said he was "really looking forward to working" with the new archdeacon.

Rev Atkinson will be installed during Evensong at Blackburn Cathedral on 23 November.