The Reverend Mike Cansdale, currently curate at St James’ Church in Silsden, has been appointed as priest-in-charge of St Mary’s at Riddlesden and at St Luke’s in East Morton.

The 38-year-old, who will be licensed this summer, said: “I’ve had a great experience as curate in Silsden. It feels like a good time to be moving on and I look forward to getting to know the people in Riddlesden and East Morton and getting involved with what God is doing in those parishes.”

He was a member of St Willfrid’s church in Calverley before training for the ministry.

After leaving university, he worked with a number of charities including the Cellar Project in Shipley, Remploy and Holme Christian Care Centre in Holme Wood which helps long-term unemployed people get back into work.

He is married to Elspeth and they have three children Anna, Zachary and Joshua.