AN academic at one of York's universities has been awarded a top church job in Europe.

The Rev Dr Gary Wilton has been appointed to the new post of Church of England's Representative to the European Union Institutions. He will take up his post in Brussels in April.

Since 2005, Mr Wilton has been a member of the theology department at York St John University, where he is currently head of the postgraduate programme in theology and religious studies.

He has a long-standing interest in the relationship between the church and contemporary society and teaches Christian ethics and Christian mission and ministry.

In his new job, Mr Wilton will be responsible to the Europe Bishops' Panel for promoting the Church of England's engagement on European social, political and environment issues.

He said: "The creation of this new post marks a significant development in the Church of England's relationship with the European Union. The church has important things to contribute to the life of the European Union - important things to say about how we should develop community, how we should relate to the wider world and how we should care for the planet. I am very excited about representing the Church of England to the EU Institutions and working alongside colleagues at the Conference of European Churches.

"The move from Yorkshire to Belgium will be an adventure of faith' for my family, and the move from academia to the rough and tumble of European policy development will be immensely challenging."