VICAR Stephen Brown not only knows the way to heaven -- he knows the way to most other places too!

The clergyman is the proud owner of a 1973 black Hackney carriage which led to him being dubbed "eccentric" by his former parish.

The vehicle came complete with the original meter and although he does not use it for commercial purposes, people often try to stop him as he drives by.

The 40-year-old said: "I have been hailed a few times, especially when I drove it to Liverpool because they have a lot of black cabs there.

"The other week a woman actually got in the back while I was stopped. She took one look at my dog-collar, said "Oh God" and got out."

Rev Brown was inducted at Laneside St Peter's, in Haslingden, this week and said he is looking forward to exploring the area in his cab -- and attracting a few funny looks in the process.

He bought the cab while at his former parish in Pudsey, near Leeds, about eight months ago and has spent most of his time renovating to to its original glory.

Rev Brown said: "I bought it on a whim from outside a junk shop. I saw it was for sale and thought 'why not?'

"I paid £800 for it which I know was over the odds but I have always wanted one.

"I don't want to do it as a job but I would like to have one as my main car. Perhaps I will trade this one in."

The vicar's vehicle was obviously a hit with his former parishioners -- a coachload made the trip across the Pennines to see him installed in a ceremony attended by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters.

He said: "They thought it was part of my eccentricity.

"The Bishop of Ripon -- which was the diocese for my church in Yorkshire -- came to see my last year and I took him round in it. He didn't say much about it though."

The former art teacher, who is originally from Norwich, studied at a theological college in Mirfield and is the latest in a long line of family members to work for the church. His father was a Canon as was his grandfather and his great-grandfather was a vicar.

He said: "I am looking forward to being in Haslingden.

"Pudsey was a lot more urban and Haslingden has beautiful views. I can't wait to drive the taxi around here."