THE new archdeacon of St Asaph will be installed during a service at the city's cathedral.

Reverend Andy Grimwood, former Vicar of Rhyl, has been tasked with leading the renewal of churches in towns and villages around St Asaph and along the North Wales coast.

The Manchester United supporter and Star Wars fan moved to the diocese of St Asaph in 2001 - firstly to Rhyl then to Newtown, before returning to Rhyl in 2013.

Mr Grimwood, who is married to Fran, said: "I’m honoured and humbled to take up this role. I’m passionate about God and passionate about people and hope to use my previous experience to grow the church here in Wales.”

The father-of-two has moved from Rhyl to Caerwys to take up the new role.

Along with Mr Grimwood, two other new archdeacons will be installed at the service, which takes place as part of Choral Evensong at St Asaph Cathedral at 3.30pm.

Revd Canon Barry Wilson, vice-dean of Chester Cathedral, has been appointed as archdeacon of Montgomery and the venerable John Lomas, a former Navy Chaplain and current archdeacon of St Asaph, will move to take up responsibility for the archdeaconry of Wrexham.

The 'shake up' to the diocesan's leadership team follows the retirement of the venerable Dr Peter Pike, retiring archdeacon of Montgomery, and the venerable Bob Griffith, retiring archdeacon of Wrexham.

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, said: “It is an exciting time of change in the Diocese of St Asaph as three archdeacons take up their new posts.

“The role of archdeacon was originally conceived as the bishop’s fixers, but we want our archdeacons to lead the renewal of the Church, and to mentor and lead mission areas towards growth."

The service on Sunday, October 7 is open to all.