Richard Goodfellow is the new deacon of Aspatria's St Kentigern's Church.

Brampton-born Richard, 39, will serve his curacy in Aspatria having just completed two years of academic theological training at St John's College in Nottingham.

Richard said: "I'm very much looking forward to the opportunity of serving my curacy in Aspatria, Hayton and Gilcrux, as well as with the Solway Plain team of churches. It's an area of the county that I don't know that well.

"New territory is always exciting as it means getting to know people in those communities, finding out about them and looking to serve them in a way which suits them best.

"The bible teaches us to love our neighbour and that is exactly what I'll be aiming to do, part of which means meeting people where they are at in life and being respectful of who they are. If you are inclined and see me about, do feel free to stop me for a chat."

Richard graduated from Cumbria College of Art and Design in 2000 with a degree in media production.

He tried script-writing, writing and recording a play about the famous Carlisle United match when goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored to secure the club's Football League status.

The play was considered for broadcast on Radio Four but not used and despite persevering with writing, Richard had no further success.

He began to doubt his ability and feel a lack of direction in life so, when a friend asked him to attend an Alpha course about Christianity in 2007, he gave it a go. He ended up loving the course, coming to faith and finding the direction his life had lacked.

After working in the post office in WHSmith in Carlisle for a couple of years, Richard decided to be ordained.

A keen cyclist and an avid Carlisle United supporter, Richard hopes his return to the area will allow him to attend more matches.