BLACKBURN Cathedral is welcoming a fresh face this week, in the shape of the diocese's new director of education.

The Reverend Peter Ballard, Vicar of Christ Church with St John and St Anne, in Lancaster since 1991 succeeds Canon John Hall who is now General Secretary of the General Synod's Board of Education.

Mr Ballard said: "I'm delighted to be appointed as this new position also uses my experience prior to ordination, but I'm very sad to be leaving parish life, as I'm a parish priest at heart.

"I have a great vision for education and educational establishments being at the forefront of Christian mission; that's where I'm rooted."

Mr Ballard, 42, is married with two daughters, aged 10 and 13.

His wife Helen is a religious education teacher at Ripley, the largest church-aided secondary school in Lancashire.

After ordination in 1987 he was a curate and assistant hospital chaplain in Lincolnshire and worked in Australia before moving to Lancaster.

He has been Rural Dean of Lancaster since 1995. But, despite his busy schedule, Mr Ballard enjoys a game of golf and watching football.

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