A NEW clergy team has been established for Ramsbottom and Edenfield, following the retirement of the Rev Gerald Higham.

Mr Higham was the last dedicated vicar for Edenfield Parish Church and St Philips Church, Stubbins.

The churches will now become part of a team ministry, which will be in place by next year. The Rev Ian Rogerson, who is vicar of St Andrews Church, Ramsbottom and area dean of Bury, has been appointed the priest-in-charge.

Rev Jeffrey Arcus, who is the vicar of St John with St Pauls Church in Ramsbottom, has been licensed as associate minister of the parishes.

In a joint statement, the two ministers stated: "We have been warmly welcomed by the people of the parishes and are looking forward to working with them in seeking to extend Gods kingdom in the communities.

"The churches have important and strategic roles in the areas that they serve. It was good to see many visitors and occasional attenders at the services in the recent "Back to Church Sunday"

"The invitation to come back to church remains the same every Sunday and we are looking forward to meeting more folk in the coming weeks."