The Rev Dr Trevor Reader, who will become Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight from September

THE Rev Dr Trevor Reader has been appointed as the new Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight. He will succeed the Ven Mervyn Banting, who will be retiring this summer.

Dr Reader, 56, will become the most senior Anglican clergyman on the island from September, responsible for supporting clergy and congregations in the 50 Church of England parishes on the Isle of Wight.

The new job will also involve him chairing the diocese's Board of Education, which advises and supports 49 Church of England schools, youth and children's work in parishes and adult education around the Portsmouth diocese.

He will move from his current post as priest-in-charge of three parishes on the mainland and director of non-stipendiary (unpaid) ministry across the Diocese of Portsmouth.

Dr Reader was born in Wales, but originally came to Portsmouth to study at the polytechnic. After securing a zoology degree and a PhD in parasitic diseases, he continued as a lecturer and research worker there for 14 years.

He started training for ordination in 1986 on a course based in Salisbury. He then worked as a curate at St Mary's, Alverstoke, in Gosport, for two-and-a-half years and as vicar of St Mary's, Hook-with-Warsash for nine years.

In 1998, he took up his current dual post as priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity, Blendworth, St Michael and All Angels, Chalton, and St Hubert's, Idsworth, and diocesan director of non-stipendiary ministry.

He is married to Lesley, who teaches at Hook-with-Warsash Primary School, and they have six daughters between the ages of 17 and 26.

Dr Reader said: "We're excited about the prospect of becoming islanders, making many new friends, and some good surfing.

"I'm keen to build on the achievements of the past, but I also look forward with great hope and confidence. These are challenging times for the Church but there are also immense opportunities.

"I'm particularly looking forward to forging fresh links between the churches and local communities, and I have a particular passion for the involvement of the Church in school life. Above all, I look forward to sharing God's love with everyone on the island."

He will be licensed as Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight by the Bishop of Portsmouth during a service in St Thomas's Church, Newport, at 4pm on Saturday 27 September. On the following day, he will be formally collated at Portsmouth's Anglican Cathedral at 6pm.