GRANDPARENTS, a garden centre manager and an archaeological physicist are among 17 people who were ordained at York Minster today.

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu laid his hands on each of the 17 as they formally became deacons, the lowest rank of the Church of England priesthood.

Afterwards he tweeted that the service had been "awe-inspiring" and that each of the new deacons was "distinctive".

Earlier he had said: " It is a great joy to be with these servants of God and his Church as they take this next step in their journey following where he leads, and sometimes after many years of faithful service already. Praise be to our God who is always calling us onward!”

All 17 will continue to serve in their parishes where they are all readers.

They are:

The Rev Diane Berry of South Holderness Coast, a teaching assistant, children and youth worker. The Rev Bronnie Broadhurst, of Pocklington, a reader for 25 years. The Rev Janet Caldwell, of St Cuthbert's, Ormesby, Teesside. The Rev Judith Dean, of Seamer with Ayton and Cayton, a garden centre general manager. The Rev Kath Dean of St Oswald and St Chad, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, and leader of The Genesis Project to regenerate the former steelworks community. The Rev Jean Fowler, of Bridlington Priory. The Rev David Haddon-Reece, of Lastingham with Appleton le Moors, Rosedale and Cropton, on the North York Moors, a retired engineer and physicist in archaeological science, organist and Honorary Chaplain at York Minster. The Rev Margaret Hall, of West Buckrose near Malton. The Rev Shirley Hebden, of Beeford with Lissett and Dunnington with Frodingham and Fosten with Level and Brandesburton, East Yorkshire, a former prison adult education teacher. The Rev Dot Hicks, of St Mary's, Strensall, a family historian. The Rev Peter Higson, of Middle Esk Moor near Whitby, a North Yorkshire Moors Railway volunteer. The Rev Judy Lindsey, of New Earswick and Huntington, a retired psychiatric nurse. The Rev Wendy Plant, of Sherburn-in-Elmet with Barkston Ash, Saxton, Aberford and Micklefield, a former assistant headteacher and grandmother who has been a reader for more than 40 years. The Rev Bob Sidgwick, of Thirsk, an Army veteran and a biker. The Rev Ken Townley of Barmby Moor Group of parishes, near Pocklington, a retired senior safety management manager and health service volunteer. The Rev John Wells, of St Mary with Holy Apostles, Scarborough. The Rev Sally Wilson, of Danby with Castleton, Commondale, Westerdale and Moorsholm on the North York Moors.