All Saints' Church in Stamford will host its first service since lockdown with new rector Father Neil Shaw at the helm

A church will host its first service since lockdown this weekend with a new rector at the helm.

Father Neil Shaw was appointed to All Saints' and St John's Church in November but the coronavirus outbreak pushed back his start date.

He has now been installed and will lead his first Eucharist service at 9.30am on Sunday, (July 19).

He said: "It's so good to finally be here. It has been a long time coming since my appointment in November.

"It has been a challenge to start in these times as normally I would meet people in church and at social events, but that hasn't been possible.

"A lot of what the church does is based on community and people coming together, so we hope to get back to that bit by bit."

Father Shaw has moved to Stamford from a church in Chichester.

He was drawn to the town after meeting friends for lunch there last year.

The 40-year-old is originally from Horsham in Sussex and studied theology at university before becoming a youth worker and researcher for the British Library.

He hopes to attract more young people and families to the church.

Father Shaw's first service on Sunday will have limited access to allow for social distancing.

Stewards will guide people to their seats and there will be no singing.