THE new Rector of Pewsey, the Rev Hugh Hoskins, was officially licensed at a special service in St John The Baptist Church on Friday.

The church was packed with Pewsey worshippers and local clergy together with a number of Mr Hoskins' friends from his former West Wiltshire team of parishes.

The licensing was conducted by the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Rev Peter Hullah.

Mr Hoskins, his wife Alison and two sons Paul and Matthew have moved into the rectory opposite the church.

He succeeds the popular Colin Fox, who left Pewsey a year ago to become priest in charge at Netheravon.

Mr Hoskins has moved across the county from Sutton Veny, near Warminster, where he was rector of the Upper Wylye Valley team.

He had previously held positions in Hilperton, near Trowbridge, at Calne and at West Lavington.

As rector of the Pewsey and Swanborough team he is assisted by three other priests, the Rev Vanda Rowe, the Rev Jacques Desrosiers and the Rev Gerald Osborne.

Mr Hoskins said he was looking forward to getting to know the community. Although this will be his first residency in Pewsey, Mr Hoskins said he had previously passed the village many times on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

He said: "I used to do a lot of canoeing and took part in the Devizes to Westminster race and one that started at Pewsey so I know the village fairly well."