A YEAR after the lights went out at St Thomas' Church, a new face has arrived to breathe new life into the parish.

The Reverend Michael Ridley, aged 45, will be inducted as vicar of Stockton Heath on May 16.

His arrival will be much welcome in the parish as it has been without a vicar for the past 12 months.

Rev Ridley is no stranger to Warrington, he was reverend of All Saints Church in Thelwall before moving in 1996 to the parish St Mary the Virgin, Whelan in Northwich.

Born in Middlewich Rev Ridley grew up in Wirral, one of three sons of a Church of England vicar.

He and his two brothers have now followed in their father's footsteps by all becoming Church of England vicars.

Although Rev Ridley does not officially take up the parish leadership until next month, St Thomas' new vicar is already getting a feel of village life together with wife Joan and son, seven-year-old Gregory.

Michael said: "It's a lovely place.

"The people have all been very welcoming, so this is my time to get to know new faces and make contacts."

In ecclesiastical terms, Rev Ridley has his finger on the pulse, with his ideas for the future of the parish.

He said: "I do want to put an emphasis on school in the area.

"In my last parish I was youth minister and I really feel this is a critical link that I endeavour to develop in Stockton Heath.

"Building up the congregation is something I also intend to put a lot of energy into.

"Like most churches we are small, but I hope that I can encourage it to grow."

And the new vicar hopes to be able to make stronger links with the community by paying particular attention to young families in Stockton Heath.