An 'exemplary parish priest' has been named the new Archdeacon of Lynn.

The Rev Canon Ian Bentley will be officially installed later this year.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham James, said: 'Ian Bentley has been an exemplary parish priest in this diocese. Wherever he has served the Church has grown under his care and leadership.

'He is highly esteemed by his fellow clergy and has the pastoral wisdom and good sense, which will serve us well in his new work as an archdeacon. Please pray for Ian and his wife Caroline and their family as he prepares for his new responsibilities.'

Canon Ian Bentley originally trained and worked as a teacher until he felt a calling to go into ministry.

Ordained in 1995, he has served for the whole of his ministry in the Diocese of Norwich. Beginning as a curate in Mattishall, he moved to the Earsham group of parishes in South Norfolk in 1998 prior to becoming the Vicar of Oulton Broad in 2006. Last year he moved to Norwich as the interim vicar of St Peter Mancroft.

Canon Ian Bentley said: 'I am surprised, humbled and thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as Archdeacon of Lynn. I started my ministerial life as a curate in the Archdeaconry and it is great to be returning.

'I have loved every job I have been entrusted with in the diocese of Norwich over some 20 years and I look forward to working together with the clergy and their congregations and taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to their parishes in my new role.'

Ian Bentley succeeds John Ashe who is retiring to Devon after serving as Archdeacon of Lynn since 2009.

His farewell service took place in Norwich Cathedral on Sunday, March 11. Before moving to Norfolk, the Ven John Ashe's ministry included five years at a church in South Africa during the Apartheid era in the ealy 1980s.

Bishop Graham said: 'He has served the diocese and the parishes of his archdeaconry with distinction over the past eight years and I know he is held in very high affection.'

Canon Ian Bentley will be installed as the Archdeacon of Lynn in Norwich Cathedral on Sunday, September 9 at 3.30pm.