Some 200 people watched as a new vicar took over at All Saints' Church in Maidstone.

The Rev Ian Parrish was made priest in charge at the Mill Street church in a service conducted by the Bishop of Dover, the Right Rev Trevor Willmott on Tuesday evening.

Welcoming him, his wife Frauke and twin adult sons to the parish, Bishop Trevor said: “We have longed for your coming and we offer a very warm welcome to you. We shall continue to pray for you and your ministry in this great County Town.”

Mr Parrish served the last four years at St Paul's Church in Maidstone as a training curate and associate priest, after serving in the Royal Engineers for 23 years.

Bishop Trevor said: “Ian has never run away from failure, He can teach us that human failure is not the end, but the beginning of opportunity.”

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Richard Thick, was among those present, along with two pupils from Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, who presented him with a bible.

He said: "I am looking forward to serving this parish where I’ve been called to be your pastor and friend. May God pour his grace upon us.”

He will officiate at his first service on Sunday at 10am.

He is also priest in charge of St Philip's and St Stephen's, Tovil and replaces Canon Rev Chris Morgan-Jones, who was at the church for 21 years.