THE Rev Ben Nicholson, of Helmsley, who was ordained a Church of England priest four years ago, is to become a minister in the Methodist Church.

The Vicar of Helmsley, the Rev Tim Robinson and the Methodist minister for the town, the Rev David Emison, said an application had been made to the York Diocese and the Methodist Conference for his authorisation to serve as a Methodist.

In a joint statement the ministers said: “The Methodist people look forward to Ben exercising his ministry among them and particularly in the farming community. We are glad for Ben that he goes with every blessing from Helmsley and Upper Ryedale parishes and the wider community of the Church of England.”