The churches of Prees, Whixall and Edstaston will soon have a new face at the helm.

Reverend Deborah Walton will join the three churches as vicar, however half of her time will be working as a chaplain in Sir John Talbot and Thomas Adams schools.

Until recently Rev Walton was the assistant curate in the Benefice of Kinver and Enville, but she spent the first 20 years of her working life as a lawyer, working in London, Birmingham and Liverpool.

A career change led to Deborah working at Chaplaincy Plus in Birmingham co-ordinating their Young Adults work before becoming lay pioneer minister at Wolverhampton Pioneer Ministries, where the church worked with young adults in Wolverhampton city centre.

After three years at Kinver and Enville, she is now moving to north Shropshire.

Deborah says she is looking forward to her unique new role.

"I am thrilled to have been appointed to this innovative new role," she said. "I'm delighted be joining the PEW Group and very excited about the school chaplaincy at Thomas Adams and Sir John Talbot Schools.

"As a family we look forward to getting to know the communities."

Whixall churchwarden, Donna Cliftlands, added that getting a new vicar was a long time coming.

"We are so excited to be welcoming Reverend Deborah," said Donna. "She has an extraordinary range of skills and experience that has made her incredibly suited to this unusual dual post.

"We've waited a long time for a new vicar and have definitely been rewarded for our patience."

Reverend Walton will be licenced on August 24 and her first service will be at St Mary's Church, Whixall, on August 30 at 11am.