CASTLE Howard has welcomed its first female chaplain.

Reverend Anne Freestone, who is a teacher, joins the stately home from Darlington Education Village where she taught children with severe and complex special needs.

Since 2010, Anne has also been an officiating chaplain for the military, supporting four different regiments. She will continue to work with the Armed Forces alongside her new role.

Anne said: “I am delighted to have been appointed chaplain at Castle Howard.

“I am eager to embrace this fantastic opportunity to serve a unique community and hope to bring together the local villages, parishes and people as we look to the future.”

The Right Reverend Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Anne as chaplain to Castle Howard. As well as leading services in the wonderful chapel, Anne will be helping provide a warm and caring welcome to the thousands of people who visit Castle Howard each year. “Anne will bring her many gifts and talents to the role, and I pray that she will flourish and be a blessing to the whole Castle Howard community.”