Rev goes from Bahamas to Bloxwich

They say the grass looks greener on the other side, but a cleric has taken a leap of faith to swap the sandy beaches of the Caribbean for a snow-speckled Black Country parish.

Bahamas-born the Rev Carlton Turner, aged 30, has left sun-drenched Nassau to become the new team vicar at St Thomas' Church, in Mossley, Bloxwich.

Mr Turner, who saw snow for the first time just two years ago when he studied at a theology seminary in Birmingham, was appointed after he spotted an internet advert for vacancies in Lichfield diocese and was interviewed via a telephone conference.

"When I first met the people at St Thomas' they were very welcoming," said Mr Turner, who is married to Carla, a neurophysiotherapist aged 28.

"I have a very good feeling that we will get on very well with whatever work needs to be done in Mossley and the Bloxwich area as a whole.

"When I was interviewed by the Bishop of Wolverhampton he asked me why Bloxwich? but I told him I would go where I was needed. Coming from the Bahamas I know the context is different, but it is tough there too. I worked in inner-city Nassau and if people think Bloxwich has challenges they should try the Bahamas.

"There are serious issues with crime and violence on the rise and the economic depression has hit hard which is also relevant to what's been happening in Bloxwich and the wider Midlands area," he added.