ST MATTHEW'S Church in Stretton has finally found a new vicar in Elaine Chegwin Hall.

Mrs Chegwin Hall, who is married to Peter and has two children, was formally a nurse in Fazakerly Hospital, Liverpool from 1979, working on hospital wards and as a district nurse.

She was ordained in 1997 and served Frankby and Greasby churches on the Wirral and later travelled to India with Christian Aid to see the impact of the charity.

Speaking about the transition from nursing to religion, she said: "It is a calling and something that doesn't go away. I've been a Christian for some time and feel it's a great privilege to be in a job like this."

Mrs Chegwin Hall, who has just received a Masters degree in theology at Chester Cathedral, will be serving Stretton and Appleton Cross.

She said: "It is a growing parish with all the houses which are being built and I'm looking forward to meeting everybody."

Her induction into St Matthews will take place on March 20 in the presence of Bishop David Urquhart of Birkenhead and clergy from the area.