LOCAL churches are looking forward to the arrival of Mr Dave Atallah, who will be ordained in September and serve as a curate based in Okehampton.

Dave, who has a PhD in physics, was a youth worker in Exeter for six years before moving to Oxford to train for ordination. He succeeds the Rev Lynne Burgon, who left in February to become a vicar in Bampton.

The rector of Okehampton Rev Stephen Cook said: 'We are delighted that Dave and his family are joining us.

'It is a great privilege to be part of the training of future vicars and over the years Okehampton and its neighbouring parishes have turned out some excellent parish priests.

'Each curate brings their own ideas and style and I am sure Dave will be no exception. He is a great lover of sport, especially football, which will be something new to us!'

Dave and his family move to Okehampton at the end of July, and Dave will work as a lay person before being ordained at Exeter Cathedral on September 11.