Rev Mike Dye takes over from Rev Douglas Savill in the role of District Superintendent for the Northwich circuit.

Mr Dye comes to Northwich from his previous job as Superintendent for Wirral, and he will be looking after the six churches in the Town Section.

"At the moment, I'm just looking into the needs of the local church community," he said. "But for now, I'm happy to be finding my way around."

Mr Dye will also have overall responsibilities for the 17 Methodist churches in the Northwich area.

He brings with him his wife, Sue.

New at the Barnton, Comberbach and Pickmere churches is Rev Paul Sanders, a recent graduate of the Wesley Theological College in Bristol.

This will be his first appointment.

"I'm from a very industrial area, in the Black Country," said Mr Saunders. "So I am just enjoying being out and about getting the feel of things here."

Mr Saunders is an ex-civil servant who has been involved with the church all his life. He will be living in Barnton with his wife Kina.

"The area has been without a minister for such a long time that it will be good to be part of it all."

He replaces Rev Jonathan Sharp, who left Barnton a year ago.

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