A new rector will be welcomed to Guiseley Parish Church in August.

The Rev David Pickett will become Rector of Guiseley with Esholt on Tuesday August 5 - St Oswald's Day.

The newly enthroned Bishop of West Yorkshire and the Dales-The Right Reverend Nick Baines will officiate at the service of Institution and Induction at St Oswald’s Church, at 7.30pm.

Parishioners will also welcome the rector's wife Sarah and their five children - Isaac, Stephen, Genevieve, Eloise and James - aged between two and 16.

Welsh born, Father David served as an officer in the RAF for 23 years until 2009. In 2000 he was awarded the MBE for services to both the Royal Air Force and the Samaritans.

Having trained for the priesthood at the College of Resurrection, Mirfield, Fr David became curate at St Michael and All Angels, Edenham in the Diocese of Lincoln where he was also chaplain to five schools, a hospital and a hospice.

He is also studying for an MA in Liturgy at the University of Sheffield. He said: "I absolutely love sacramental worship. Words, music, tradition make me feel closer to God, but also to the historical church."

The new rector was instantly drawn to Guiseley.

"When I read the parish profile I instantly felt that this was the place for me, and it was confirmed on our visit for interview," he said. "The people were lovely, the churches beautiful, but the feel of the place - that little warm feeling you get when you know it is right- was exactly what we had hoped for when we began looking for our first incumbency.

"As a family we look forward to becoming part of the community, helping serve both God and the people of this beautiful part of the country."