PEOPLE in Kelbrook are looking forward to many a note-perfect organ recital during services at the parish church with the appointment of an internationally-acclaimed organist.

Dr Tim Rishton, whose wife Tracy is lay pastoral assistant for Earby and Kelbrook, has officially taken over the reins from Anthony Smith, for whom he stood in on several occasions last year.

He is a former cathedral organist and diocesan music officer, as well as a university professor in church and organ music.

Mr Rishton studied at the universities of Reading, Manchester and Wales, where he took a doctorate in 18th-century music and later lectured.

Before moving to Kelbrook, the Rishton family lived in Norway where Tim was in charge of the church studies faculty at the University of Tromso.

He is still employed by the university, making frequent trips there, and works closely with others in Denmark, Sweden, Britain and Ireland through a new role, which involves developing teaching methods for use on the internet.

Mr Rishton has given concerts in Scandinavia and northern Europe and has given lectures and master classes in Norwegian, English and Welsh at many universities.

He has also made regular radio and television broadcasts on the Norwegian channel NRK, as well as on BBC and S4C, and has made a number of solo recordings.

Mr Rishton said: "Kelbrook is a lovely place and we like the people here. It is very similar to the village I grew up in and the last place we lived was a lot smaller than Kelbrook so it's much better here.

"I've always a lot going on. I've got various concerts booked and I am recording a couple more CDs so I will be busy."