EXMOUTH church-goers are to benefit from an increase of new clergy in Devon.

EXMOUTH church-goers are to benefit from an increase of new clergy in Devon.

Georgina Vye will for a year be a deacon in the Littleham cum Exmouth parish, serving alongside a senior priest.

The Bishop of Exeter last weekend ordained Georgina at Exeter Cathedral, alongside 12 other people.

The group, who come from all walks of life, include a former senior member of the Met Office, and a psychiatric nurse.

Three of the new deacons are in their thirties; the oldest in his seventies. Four of the new deacons will be self-supporting clergy.

The Rt Revd Michael Langrish said he was thrilled by the number and the quality of candidates for ordination this year.

He said: "It is wonderful to see so many good people being called forward to serve the church in Devon in this way.

"For the last few years we have seen numbers rising as more and more people are taking on the challenge of spreading the Gospel in this beautiful, diverse county."

A further 11 people will be ordained priest in various churches around the diocese this autumn, after serving as deacon for a year.

The new priest is given wider duties and can administer Holy Communion.