IT has been announced that a new vicar has been appointed to the parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor.

The Rev Dr Chris Hardwick is to become priest-in-charge some time in January, 2015.

The Rev Michael Brierley resigned from his post as priest-in-charge of the parishes in March this year and it was believed it could take up to two years to find his replacement — so the congregations and churchwardens can now breathe a sigh of relief that Dr Hardwick is to join after only ten months, instead of 24.

Dr Hardwick was ordained in Worcester in 1992.

He subsequently obtained a BA at the Open University and an MA in pastoral theology at Birmingham University in 1996, followed by a PhD in theology in 2000.

His present post, since 2011, in the Diocese of Exeter is the mission leader and enabler for the Holsworthy Mission Community and priest-in-charge of the parishes of Pyworthy with Pancrasweek and Bridgerule.

He was recently appointed Rural Dean of Holsworthy in 2014 and currently serves on the Barnstaple Archidiaconal Mission and Pastoral Committee.

Dr Hardwick and his wife Sarah, a medical secretary, married in 2011 and have five children.

He said: 'As a family we very much enjoy living in Devon and have settled well into the county.

'I am deeply committed to parochial ministry and we are all delighted with the forthcoming move to the parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor.'

Churchwarden at Tavistock Parish Church Piers O'Neill said: 'It can take two years to get a new vicar and as Tavistock is the third biggest church in the Diocese of Exeter it's important that we do have a priest, so this is great news.'

Dr Hardwick will be officially appointed in January 2015.