TWO months after the departure of popular Ilkley All Saints' Parish Church vicar Peter Marshall, his replacement has been announced.

All Saints churchwardens Colin Kingsman and Dorothy Tinkler made the announcement parishioners had been eagerly awaiting on Sunday.

A statement read out at the Leeds Road church said: "The Right Reverend David Smith, Bishop of Bradford, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev Paul Tudge, presently vicar of St James, Woodside, Horsforth, in the Diocese of Ripon, to be vicar of All Saints' Ilkley.

Signalling the end of the interregnum period the news was received with delight by congregation and clergy alike.

Mr Tudge, who is expected to take up the living in March next year, is aged 43 and married with four children. The announcement was made simultaneously at Mr Tudge's own church.

Mr Marshall, 62, and his wife, Janet, left to take up new jobs with the Chester-based Wycliffe Bible Translators after being in Ilkley for 15 years.

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