A VICAR’S husband has become the first reader to be licensed by the Bishop of Durham.

David Walker, whose wife Judith is an ordained minister, was licensed by the Right Reverend Paul Butler in a service at Durham Cathedral and will be based at St Mary’s Church in Barnard Castle, covering Barnard Castle and Whorlton.

Bishop Butler used the occasion to appeal for more people to become readers, who are laypeople trained and licensed to preach, teach and lead worship.

“Readers are called by God through the people of God and the call to reader ministry remains an important one in the life of our church.

“I want to see more people step forward for this ministry of the Word and hope that there will be some young readers too,” he said.

Mr Walker said he was honoured.